Media bed for waste streams and systems employing the same

ABSTRACT

Media beds containing worms living in an oxygenated aqueous environment are provided for the remediation of water containing excreted and other oxidizable organic or chemical waste. The media beds may include cultivated plant life in addition to the cultivated worm population for the uptake of nitrates, as well as other nutrients rendered soluble through digestion of the worms to remediate water to levels sufficient to be safely returned to the environment; alternatively the water may be remediated to higher nitrate levels in the absence of plants so that the water can be used in subsequent fertilization operations outside the waste treatment system. The system further includes cultivated microbial populations that may be present in the media beds and/or in separate bioreactors within the system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/434,848 filed Dec. 15, 2016, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems fortreating waste streams and more particularly to methods and systems fortreating waste streams employing a media bed.

BACKGROUND

Aquaculture is currently the fastest growing sector in food productionaround the world. Waste discharge is a key hurdle to the growth of theaquaculture industry and the adaptation of new production facilities.The development of an apparatus that allows for the safe, internalprocessing of solid waste within a recirculating aquaculture systemallows for the controlled production of various aquatic species withoutconcern of accidental release of specimens or harmful waste products,opening the door for aquaculture development across the globe.

Waste water from aquaculture generally contains high levels of suspendedsolid wastes and ammonia. Solid wastes degrade into ammonia under anoxicconditions, and they can use up much of the dissolved oxygen in thewater when degrading under aerobic conditions. Both high levels ofammonia, regardless of dissolved oxygen level of the water, and lowlevels of dissolved oxygen are harmful to the aquatic species and plantsbeing cultivated.

Prior systems for solid waste management require solid waste, andassociated water, to be separated with solids collected and removed fromthe system, resulting in an increased loss of water, loss of nutrientsin the solid waste, as well as a discharge of ammonia waste into localenvironments, which can be harmful to local biota. One current systememploys a multi-valve, 4-tank system and uses a vertical bead filtercommonly found on swimming pools. This system, however, requiressignificant training and is energy intensive. Additionally, thesesystems are not truly zero-discharge, as the system requires that excesssolid waste build-up be removed from the system periodically.

In addition, Dr. James Rakocy, one of the leading experts in aquaponicsystem design, in 2012, in the book Aquaculture Production Systems, byTidwell, pp 344-386, delivered a paper titled, Aquaponic-IntegratingFish and Plant Culture. In this paper, Dr. Rakocy noted the difficultiesof using media beds in commercial aquaponic systems, specificallypointing out that these beds are prone to clogging, the formation ofanaerobic zones, and potentially producing methane and hydrogen sulfide,which are highly toxic to fish.

Furthermore, Leonard and Lennard, in their paper, A comparison of threedifferent hydroponic subsystems: gravel bed, floating and nutrient filmtechniques, in an aquaponic test system, in Aquaculture International,Vol 14, Issue 6, pp. 539-550, note the problems with utilizing mediabeds in an aquaponic system, citing the need to clean system media, andflush excess accumulated solid waste from the beds.

Therefore, there exists a need to provide an aquaponics system thatremoves harmful ammonia, maintains high levels of dissolved oxygeninternally, and prevents accumulating solid waste from the beds, withoutdischarging solid waste from the system.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, presented herein is an apparatus comprising a media bedcomprising a biomass, wherein (i) the biomass comprises water and worms,(ii) the worms are submerged in the water, and (iii) the water comprisesan oxygen content of at least 3 ppm. In certain embodiments, the waterfurther comprises un-ionized ammonia at an amount of 5 ppm or less. Incertain embodiments, the biomass comprises oxidizable waste. In someembodiments, the water comprises oxidizable waste. In certainembodiments, the media bed further comprising media (e.g., aggregates,fibers or particles). In some embodiments, a media bed comprises aminimum average, minimum mean or minimum absolute worm density of atleast 100 worms/m³, at least 500 worms/m³, or at least 1000 worms/m³, orat least 10,000 worms/m³.

In some embodiments, a media bed comprises a container, a waste inlet,and a treated waste outlet and various conduits, pumps, valves andfittings configured to introduce aqueous waste into a media bed throughthe waste inlet and extract treated wasted from the media bed throughthe waste outlet.

In some aspects, presented herein, is a waste treatment system oraquaponics system comprising an apparatus or media bed described herein.Certain embodiments are directed to a closed aquaponics system thateliminates the need for discharging solid waste from the system andprevents accumulating solid waste from the beds, while removing harmfulammonia from the system that is converted into nitrates, which alongwith other nutrients resulting from oxidation of waste, can be absorbedby plants grown in one or more parts of the system, thus providing atrue zero-discharge system. In some embodiments, the results areachieved through the combination of a media bed that employs the cultureof annelid worms, the active aeration of the media beds, and the mediabed being a continuous flow type.

In certain embodiments, a waste treatment system or aquaponics systemcomprises a fish tank, a separating tank, and a media bed. The fish tankcomprises fish and water. In some embodiments, a fish tank comprisesuntreated, or partially treated aqueous waste. In certain embodiments, aseparating tank is fluidly connected and/or operably coupled to the fishtank, and the media bed is fluidly connected and/or operably coupled tothe separating tank thereby forming a closed fluid circuit. In someembodiments, one or more bio-reactors are fluidly connected in thesystem.

In some aspects, a method of treating solid and/or liquid waste isprovided. In some embodiments the method comprises the use of a mediabed or apparatus described herein. In certain embodiments, the methodcomprises the use of a system described herein. In some embodiments, amethod includes the steps of providing a fish tank containing a fluid,providing a separating tank, providing a media bed, delivering the fluidto the separating tank, separating the fluid into solids and liquids inthe separating tank, delivering the solids to the media bed and, theliquids to a bioreactor, converting ammonia in the liquids to nitrite,and nitrite into nitrate, delivering nitrate-rich liquids to the mediabed, filtering the solids and nitrate-rich liquids through the mediabed, removing nitrates and other nutrients from the water and deliveringfiltered liquids back to the fish tank. In certain embodiments, anaquaponics system is a closed system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic embodiment of a waste treatment system(aquaponics system).

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of a media bed 105.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a waste treatmentsystem for the remediation of water containing animal waste.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a media bed.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a waste treatmentsystem for the remediation of water from an aquaculture facility.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a waste treatmentsystem for the remediation of run-off water from an agricultural field.

FIG. 8 shows a cross section of an embodiment of a media bed.

FIG. 9 shows a cross section of an embodiment of a bulkhead assembly.

FIG. 10 shows a cross section of a portion of an aquaponics systemshowing a cross section of a media bed and a sump tank.

FIG. 11 shows a cross section of a portion of a waste treatment systemor aquaponics system showing a cross section of a media bed and a sumptank. The system shown comprises a waste intake system (e.g., comprising244, 251, 252, 247, 246, and pump 245), inlet 107, and waste conduits.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a waste inlet supply assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The process of using worms in composting is sometimes referred to asvermicomposting. Systems, apparatuses and methods described hereinemploy the use of worms for the treatment of waste. However, thesystems, apparatuses and methods described herein differ significantlyfrom vermicomposting in several aspects and provide substantialadvantageous over vermicomposting methods. First, vermicomposting islimited to the use of relatively thin layers of worms, typically limitedto a depth of less than 5 inches. Second, vermicomposting is conductedon relatively dry compost material with a minimal moisture content. Thisis because the worms typically die in worm beds that are too thick ortoo moist. Systems, apparatuses and methods described herein comprisenovel media beds comprising a high density of viable worms, oftengreater than 5 inches in depth, where the earthworms are submerged inwater and/or aqueous waste. The systems, apparatuses and methodsdescribed herein unexpectedly allow for high-density worm populations tomaintain high levels of viability and high levels of activity whilecompletely submerged in water, while also providing high-volume wastetreatment that is orders of magnitude faster and more efficient thanmethods employing vermicomposting.

The inventors have determined that a media bed described herein canunexpectedly permit earthworms to survive, eat, and reproduce, all in anaquatic environment, thus expanding the utility of the earthworms toeffectively remediate large volumes of biological wastes in a media bedwithout any dewatering of the waste. Annelid oligochaete earthworms andtheir associated gut microbes have the ability to reduce the particlesize of waste and eliminate human pathogen contamination of waste. Theworms can also chelate plant nutrients in the waste stream to make themmore bioavailable to plants. In some embodiments, a system, apparatus ormethod described herein also uses heterotrophic microbes (includingbacteria and archaea) to oxidize carbonaceous wastes that are reduced insize and increased in surface area by worms. In some embodiments, asystem, apparatus or method described herein also uses chemotrophicmicrobes (including bacteria and archaea) to reduce the chemical oxygendemand and biological toxicity of waste by oxidizing ammonia tonitrites, and nitrites to nitrates. Carbon dioxide from the wasteoxidation process ultimately leaves the system as a gas which may alsobe taken up by the plants, or incorporated into microbial biomass. Insome embodiments, treated waste is converted into plant nutrients whichcan be directly concentrated into a plant fertilizer solution for useelsewhere. In some embodiments, nutrients from treated waste can betaken up by plants in a media bed bioreactor or other apparatus orsystem, non-limiting examples of which include floating beds, aeroponictowers, hydroponic systems, and soil growth beds operably coupled (e.g.,fluidly connected) to a media bed bioreactor. Plant biomass (e.g.,seeds, fruits, portions of plants or whole plants) is sometimes removedfrom a system for use elsewhere. Processed aqueous waste obtained from asystem, apparatus or method described herein can be recirculated in asystem, such as for use in aquaculture, or can be discharged from asystem into the environment (e.g., after certain legal standards fornutrient and human pathogen removal are met).

Biomass

In some embodiments a system or apparatus comprises a media bed. In someembodiments, a media bed comprises a biomass and/or media. In certainembodiments, a biomass comprises water and worms. In certainembodiments, a biomass comprises microbes and/or plants. In certainembodiments, a biomass comprises worms, water, microbes and/or plants.In some embodiments, a biomass comprises nutrients and dissolved gasessuitable for survival and viability of the worms in a biomass. In someembodiments, a media bed and/or biomass comprises waste (e.g., aqueouswaste, oxidizable waste).

A biomass may be any suitable size or shape. In some embodiments, abiomass comprises a volume in a range of 5 to 10,000,000 liters, 5 to1,000,000 liters, 5 to 100,000 liters, 5 to 10,000 liters, 5 to 5,000liters, or 5 to 1000 liters. A biomass often adopts the size of thecontainer, reservoir, tank or basin that it is contained in. In someembodiments, the depth of a biomass is at least 15 cm, at least 20 cm,at least 30 cm, at least 40 cm, at least 50 cm or at least 100 cm. Insome embodiments, the depth of a biomass is in a range of 15 cm to 50meters, 15 cm to 25 meters, 15 cm to 10 meters, 15 cm to 6 meters, or 15cm to 3 meters.

In some embodiments, a biomass comprises a water content of about 30% toabout 90%. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, a biomass is at least20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, or at least60% water (vol/vol). In some embodiments, the water content of a biomassis in a range of 25-90% water, 30-90% water, 35-90% water, 40-90% water,25-80% water, 30-80% water, 35-80% water or 40-80% water (vol/vol).

In some embodiments, a media bed or biomass comprises fresh water havinga salinity of less than 10, less than 8, less than 7, less than 6 orless than 5 parts per thousand (ppt). In some embodiments, the aqueouscontent of a media bed or biomass comprises a salinity of less than 10,less than 8, less than 7, less than 6 or less than 5 parts per thousand(ppt). In some embodiments, a media bed or biomass comprises brackishwater or salt water having a salinity of greater than 6, greater than 7,greater than 8, greater than 10, greater than 15, or greater than 20ppt. In some embodiments, the aqueous content of a media bed or biomasscomprises a salinity greater than 6, greater than 7, greater than 8,greater than 10, greater than 15, or greater than 20 ppt.

Worms

A media bed or biomass often comprises worms. In some embodiments, amedia bed comprises a biomass comprising worms. A media bed, or biomassof a media bed can comprise a worm density in a range from about 100 toabout 100,000 worms per m³. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, a mediabed, or biomass comprises a minimum average, minimum mean or minimumabsolute worm density of at least 100 worms/m³, at least 200 worms/m³,at least 300 worms/m³, at least 400 worms/m³, at least 500 worms/m³, atleast 1000 worms/m³, at least 2000 worms/m³, at least 4000 worms/m³, atleast 6000 worms/m³, at least 8000 worms/m³, or at least 10,000worms/m³. In certain embodiments, a media bed, or biomass comprises anaverage, mean or absolute worm density of about 100 worms/m³ to about100,000 worms/m³, about 1000 worms/m³ to about 100,000 worms/m³, about100 worms/m³ to about 10,000 worms/m³, about 500 worms/m³ to about10,000 worms/m³, or about 1000 worms/m³ to about 10,000 worms/m³. Insome embodiments, an optimal worm density is determined so that wormscan traverse the pore space of the media beds without clogging the mediabed and impeding the flow of water and oxygen.

In some embodiments, worms (e.g., a plurality of worms) in a media bedor biomass are substantially or completely submerged in water. In someembodiments, worms of a media bed or biomass are substantially orcompletely submerged within the aqueous content of a media bed orbiomass. In some embodiments, worms of a media bed are substantially orcompletely under the surface of a biomass, and/or are under the surfaceof the aqueous content of a media bed or biomass. In some embodiments,the aqueous content of a media bed or biomass comprises water and/oraqueous waste, or a mixture thereof. Accordingly, in certainembodiments, worms of a media bed or biomass are in constant contactwith water and/or are in constant contact with the aqueous portion of amedia bed or biomass. In some embodiments, worms of a media bed orbiomass are substantially or completely under water. In someembodiments, worms of a media bed or biomass are substantially orcompletely immersed in water and/or are immersed in the aqueous contentof a media bed or biomass. Accordingly, worms (e.g., a plurality ofworms) that are substantially submerged, substantially immersed,substantially in contact with, or substantially under water may havebrief and/or intermittent contact with air on the surface of a media bedor biomass which brief or intermittent contact may last for a period ofseconds or less. Accordingly, in some embodiments substantially all ofthe worms of a media bed or biomass described herein are completelysubmerged in water, or are completely submerged in the aqueous contentof a media bed or biomass, at any one time (e.g., as determined at anyone point in time). For example, at least 80%, at least 90% or at least95% of the worms in a media bed or biomass are completely submerged inwater, or are completely submerged in the aqueous content of a media bedor biomass at any one time.

Any suitable earthworm can be used for a system, apparatus or methoddescribed herein. A media bed or biomass may comprise any suitableearthworm. In some embodiments, an earthworm is an annelid oligochaeteworm. A media bed or biomass may comprise a single species of earthwormor a mixture of two or more species of worms. In some embodiments, anearthworm is selected from the family of Acanthodrilidae,Ailoscolecidae, Almidae, Benhamiinae, Octochaetidae, Criodrilidae,Diplocardiinae, Acanthodrilidae, Enchytraeidae, Eudrilidae, Exxidae,Glossoscolecidae, Haplotaxidae, Hormogastridae, Kynotidae, Lumbricidae,Lutodrilidae, Megascolecidae, Microchaetidae, Moniligastridae,Ocnerodrilidae, Octochaetidae, Octochaetinae, Sparganophilidae, orTumakidae. In some embodiments, a media bed or biomass comprises one ormore species of earthworms, non-limiting examples of which includeAlloborpha callignosa, Eisenia fetida, Eisenia andrei, Dendrodrilusrubidus, Dendrobaena hortensis, Dendrobaena veneta, Lumbricus rubellus,Lumbricus terretris, Drawida nepalensis, Eudrilus eugeniae, Perionyxexcavates, Polypheretima elongate, and Lampito maurittii and relatedfamilies. Other worms, such as flat worms, pot worms (e.g.,Enchytraeidae and related family, including both terrestrial andaquatic), tubifex worms (e.g., Tubificidae and related family, generallyconsidered aquatic) may also be used. In certain embodiments, a mediabed or biomass comprises worms of the species Eisenia fetida. Earthwormsare generally preferred for freshwater applications, while other typesof worms may be more readily employed in waters containing elevatedsalinity, such as saltwater and/or brackish water applications. In someembodiments, worms utilized in saltwater applications of this inventionare a variety of marine annelid worms and include mud worms of the genusPoludora and clam worms of the family Nereididae. Mud worms aid inbreaking down organic waste in the system, while clam worms aid indecreasing the buildup of algae and other solids within the system. Inaddition to marine annelid worms, marine environment worms of the familyNaididae (formerly Tubificisae) are contemplated for use, which can aidin the breakdown of waste within the beds. In some embodiments, anearthworm of a media bed or biomass described herein is a terrestrialworm. In certain embodiments, an earthworm of a media bed describedherein is not an aquatic worm.

Oxygenation & Growth Conditions

In certain embodiments, a system, apparatus or media bed describedherein is aerated or oxygenated. In some embodiments, a media bed, abiomass, or the aqueous content thereof is aerated or oxygenated. Insome embodiments, water of a media bed or biomass is aerated oroxygenated. In some embodiments, aqueous waste is aerated or oxygenated.In some embodiments, a method described herein comprises aerating oroxygenating a media bed or biomass.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, a media bed, a biomass, water in mediabed or biomass, or the aqueous content of a media bed or biomasscomprises an oxygen content (i.e., dissolved oxygen content) of at least3 ppm, at least 3.1 ppm, 3.2 at least ppm, at least 3.3 ppm, at least3.4 ppm, at least 3.5 ppm, at least 3.6 ppm, at least 3.7 ppm, at least3.8 ppm, at least 3.9 ppm, at least 4.0 ppm, at least 4.5, at least 5ppm, at least 5.5, at least 6 ppm, at least 7 ppm, at least 8, at least9 or at least 10 ppm. In some embodiments, a media bed, a biomass, waterin a media bed or biomass, or the aqueous content of a media bed orbiomass comprises an oxygen content (i.e., dissolved oxygen content) ofat least 3 ppm, at least 3.1 ppm, 3.2 at least ppm, at least 3.3 ppm, atleast 3.4 ppm, at least 3.5 ppm, at least 3.6 ppm, at least 3.7 ppm, atleast 3.8 ppm, at least 3.9 ppm or at least 4.0 ppm. In someembodiments, a media bed, a biomass, water in media bed or biomass, orthe aqueous content of a media bed or biomass comprises an oxygencontent in a range of about 3 ppm to about 12 ppm, about 3.5 ppm toabout 12 ppm, about 4 ppm to about 12 ppm, about 4.5 ppm to about 12ppm, about 5 ppm to about 12 ppm, about 5.5 ppm to about 12 ppm, about 6ppm to about 12 ppm, about 3 ppm to about 15 ppm, about 3.5 ppm to about15 ppm, about 4 ppm to about 15 ppm, about 4.5 ppm to about 15 ppm,about 5 ppm to about 15 ppm, about 5.5 ppm to about 15 ppm, about 6 ppmto about 15 ppm, about 3 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 3.5 ppm to about 10ppm, about 4 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 4.5 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 5ppm to about 10 ppm, about 5.5 ppm to about 10 ppm, or about 6 ppm toabout 10 ppm. In certain embodiments, a media bed, a biomass, water inmedia bed or biomass, or the aqueous content of a media bed or biomasscomprises an oxygen content in a range of about 3 ppm to about 12 ppm,or about 3.5 ppm to about 12 ppm. In some embodiments, a biomass or theaqueous content of a biomass comprises an oxygen content in a range ofabout 3 ppm to about 12 ppm, or about 3.5 ppm to about 12 ppm.

Most earthworms have an optimal temperature range for viability of about15-25° C., an optimal pH range of 6.5 to 8.6, and thrive when C:N ratiosin their food are between 5:1 and 25:1. C:N rations, temperature and/orpH of a media bed or biomass can be adjusted to a suitable level tooptimize for worm viability and/or biological activity within a mediabed or biomass.

In some embodiments, a C:N ratio of a media bed or biomass is increasedor decreased to allow for optimal worm and/or microbe activity. In someembodiments, a media bed comprises a C:N ratio between 5:1 and 25:1 orbetween about 10:1 and 20:1. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, amethod described herein comprises adjusting, increasing, decreasingand/or maintaining the C:N ratio of a media bed or biomass to a range ofabout 5:1 to 25:1, 8:1 to 25:1, 8:1 to 27:1, or about 10:1 to about20:1. The C:N ratio of a media bed or biomass can be adjusted and/ormaintained using any suitable method. In some embodiments, the C:N ratioof a media bed or biomass is adjusted and/or maintained by controllinginfluent of carbon into a media or a combination thereof. In someembodiments, the C:N ratio of a media bed or biomass is increased,adjusted and/or maintained by controlling influent of carbon and/oradding a carbon source into a media. Non-limiting examples of carbonsources that are used to increase or maintain the C:N ratio of a mediabed include vegetable waste (e.g., potato waste and oat straw waste),shredded paper, the like or combinations thereof. In some embodiments,the C:N ratio of a media bed or biomass is decreased, adjusted and/ormaintained by controlling influent of nitrogen and/or adding a nitrogensource into a media. Non-limiting examples of nitrogen sources that areused to decrease or maintain the C:N ratio of a media bed include swinewaste, dairy waste, protein (e.g., whey protein, offal, egg albumin),ammonia, urea, urine, the like or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, a temperature of a media bed or biomass isincreased or decreased to allow for optimal worm and/or microbeactivity. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, a method described hereincomprises adjusting, increasing, decreasing and/or maintaining thetemperature of a media bed or biomass to a range of about 15-30° C.,about 15-25° C., about 20-30° C., about 20 to about 27° C., or to arange of about 25-30° C. Temperature of a media bed or biomass can beadjusted and/or maintained using any suitable method. In someembodiments, the temperature of a media bed or biomass is adjustedand/or maintained by insulating a media bed or container thereof (e.g.,by placing a media bed or container in the ground, or by use of suitableinsulating materials), by use of an in-line heating system or heatexchanger, by natural means (e.g., by evaporation), by use of a suitablecooling system, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, a pH of a media bed or biomass is increased ordecreased to allow for optimal worm and/or microbe activity.Accordingly, in certain embodiments, a method described herein comprisesadjusting, increasing, decreasing and/or maintaining the pH of a mediabed or biomass to a range of about 6-9, about 6.5-8.6, about 6.5-8.2, orto a range of about 6.5-8.0. The pH of a media bed or biomass can beadjusted and/or maintained using any suitable method. In someembodiments, the pH of a media bed or biomass is increased and/ormaintained by addition of calcium carbonate, calcium biocarbonate,potassium carbonate, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, thepH of a media bed or biomass is decreased and/or maintained by additionof nitric acid, muriatic acid, phosphoric acid, or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the pH of a media bed or biomass isdecreased and/or maintained by use of a reverse osmosis filter to pullcarbonates from the water to lower the pH.

Waste

Presented herein, in certain embodiments, are systems and/or anapparatus, or portions thereof, for use in treating waste having arelatively high water content. In some embodiments, a media bed orbiomass comprises waste. In certain embodiments, waste is aqueous waste.In some embodiments, the water content of aqueous waste is at least 30%,at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, orat least 90% water (vol/vol). Aqueous waste may comprise particulatewaste and/or soluble waste. Aqueous waste may comprise particles (e.g.,solid particles of waste, solid particles of oxidizable waste) having anaverage, mean, or absolute diameter of less than less than 10 mm, lessthan 5 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 1 mm, less than 500 nm, less than100 nm, less than 10 nm, less than 1 nm, less than 500 microns or lessthan 100 microns. In some embodiments, aqueous waste comprises particles(e.g., solid particles of waste, solid particles of oxidizable wastes)having an average, mean, or absolute diameter of less than less than 10mm, less than 5 mm, less than 2 mm, or less than 1 mm. In someembodiments, aqueous waste comprises particles (e.g., solid particles ofwaste, solid particles of oxidizable wastes) having an average, mean, orabsolute diameter in a range of about 10 mm to 1 μm, 5 mm to 100 μm, or5 mm to 1 nm. In some embodiments, aqueous waste has a viscosity at 25°C. of less than 10 Pa/s, less than 1 Pa/s, less than 100 mPa/s, or lessthan 10 mPa/s. In some embodiments, aqueous waste has a viscosity at 25°C. in a range of about 10 Pa/s to about 0.7 mPa/s, 1 Pa/s to about 0.7mPa/s, 100 mPa/s to about 0.7 mPa/s, 50 mPa/s to about 0.7 mPa/s, orabout 10 mPa/s to about 0.7 mPa/s. In some embodiments, aqueous wastecomprises oxidizable waste and/or biodegradable waste. In someembodiments, aqueous waste comprises at least 50%, at least 75%, atleast 80%, at least 90% or at least 95% oxidizable waste and/orbiodegradable waste. In some embodiments, aqueous waste comprises about90% to 100% oxidizable waste and/or biodegradable waste. Non-limitingexamples of oxidizable waste include organic biological waste derivedfrom animals or humans (e.g., excretions, urine and/or feces; e.g., fishfeces, livestock manures, human sewage, sewage sludge, the like orcombinations thereof), waste from food processing of animals or plants,and plant material (e.g., compost, and the like). In some embodiments,oxidizable waste comprises oxidizable chemical wastes, non-limitingexamples of which include particular or soluble ammonia, nitrite,nitrate, phosphorous, and phosphates. In some embodiments, oxidizablewaste comprises oxidizable and/or biodegradable carbohydrates, fattyacids, proteins and lipids.

In some embodiments, aqueous waste is obtained directly from a suitablewaste source (e.g., from a river, stream, aqueduct, reservoir, a lake,agricultural run-off, sewage stream, and the like). Aqueous waste maycomprise untreated, partially treated or filtered waste. In someembodiments, waste is pre-processed by a suitable method comprisinggrinding, blending, and/or filtering to obtain aqueous waste of asuitable water content, a suitable particle content and/or viscosity foruse in a system, apparatus or method described herein. In someembodiments, aqueous waste is derived or obtained by a process that doesnot require filtering. Non-limiting examples of a waste source include ariver, a stream, an aqueduct, a reservoir, a lake, agricultural run-off,a sewage stream, a sewage reservoir or holding tank, farm run-off, waterfrom a fish hatchery, commercial or industrial waste, household waste,street run-off, brackish water, the like or combinations thereof.Additional non-limiting examples of a waste source include a fish tank,a separator tank, a holding tank, a bioreactor, a sump tank, and thelike.

In some embodiments, aqueous waste, a media bed, biomass, or aqueouscontent thereof comprises a low amount of un-ionized ammonia. Un-ionizedammonia is the fraction of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) in an aqueousenvironment that is highly toxic to many aquatic organisms. NH₃ is theprincipal form of toxic ammonia. NH₃ has been reported toxic tofreshwater organisms at concentrations ranging from 0.53 to 22.8 ppm(mg/L). Toxic levels are both pH and temperature dependent. Toxicityincreases as pH increases and as temperature increases. Accordingly, incertain embodiments, a media bed, biomass or aqueous content thereofcomprises less than 5 ppm, less than 1 ppm, or less than 0.5 ppmun-ionized ammonia. In some embodiments, aqueous waste that isintroduced into a media bed or biomass comprises a content of un-ionizedammonia that is less than 5 ppm, less than 1 ppm, or less than 0.5 ppm.

Microbes

In some embodiments, a media bed, biomass or bioreactor comprises one ormore species of microbes. In some embodiments, a media bed, biomass orbioreactor comprises heterotrophic microbes (including bacteria andarchaea). Heterotrophic microbes can oxidize carbonaceous wastes madesmall and of a high surface area to volume ratio by worms. This requiresdissolved oxygen, without which other competing microbes inherent in theenvironment and many waste streams will become dominant in the systemand convert biosolids to methane. Chemotrophic microbes (includingbacteria and archaea) reduce the chemical oxygen demand and biologicaltoxicity of the waste stream by oxidizing ammonia to nitrites andnitrites to nitrates. They are generally considered to bechemolithotrophs—meaning they live on substrates (like rocks, gravel,etc.) in a sheet like coating. These bacteria use inorganic carbon (suchas CO2) as their carbon source to construct organic molecules.

Examples of bacteria that can convert ammonia to nitrite include, butare not limited to, Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosococcus, andNitrosolobus. Examples of archaea that can convert ammonia to nitriteinclude, but are not limited to, Nitrosopumilus, and Nitrososphaera.Examples of bacteria that convert nitrite to nitrate, include, but arenot limited to, Nitrobacter, Nitrospina, and Nitrococcus. Accordingly,in some embodiments, a media bed 105, biomass or bioreactor (103 or 104)described herein comprises one or more genus of microbes selected fromNitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosococcus, Nitrosolobus, Nitrosopumilus,Nitrososphaera, Nitrobacter, Nitrospina, and Nitrococcus. In someembodiments, a media bed, biomass or bioreactor comprises bacteria ofthe species Nitrosomonas europaea (ATCC 25978), which can be used tooxidize ammonia to nitrite, and/or Nitrobacter winogradskyi (ATCC25391), which can be used in oxidizing nitrite to nitrate. In someembodiments, a separate bioreactor located upstream of a media bed maycomprise the microbes or bacteria described herein. Accordingly, in someembodiments, one or more microbes present in an upstream bioreactor maybe introduced into a downstream media bed 105.

Container

In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises one or more media beds. Insome embodiments a media bed comprises a container 2, a waste inletand/or an outlet, wherein the container often comprises worms. In someembodiments a container comprises the biomass and/or media. In someembodiments, a container comprises a waste inlet 107 and an outlet 106.In some embodiments, a media bed 105 includes a container 2 constructedto provide containment of the bed contents, e.g., the media and waterbeing remediated, aqueous waste, as well as the worms and other livingorganisms cultivated therein. In some embodiments a media bed and/orcontainer comprises media, plumbing, and/or other components. In someembodiments, the container 2 may be fiberglass reinforced polypropylene.In some embodiments, the container 2 may be formed by lining anexcavated trench with an impermeable liner, such as, but not limited toa rubber liner, a sealed woven liner, a plastic line and/or a concreteliner.

A container can be made of any suitable material, non-limiting examplesof which include concrete, block, stone, rubber, glass, wood, plastics,fiberglass, earth (e.g., dirt), the like and combinations thereof. Insome embodiments, a container 20 is made of, or comprisesfiberglass-reinforced polypropylene. A media bed 105 may be constructedfor any suitable volume, shape and geometry. Accordingly, a containercan be any suitable shape (e.g., round, rectangular, asymmetrical). Insome embodiments, a container comprises one or more sidewalls and abottom. A bottom may be contiguous and substantially coextensive withone or more sidewalls of the container. In some embodiments, a containercomprises one sidewall, for example when a container is circular orcylinder shaped. One embodiment of a rectangular media bed 105comprising a container 2 is shown in FIG. 3. In certain embodiments acontainer 2 comprises four side walls (10 and 11) arranged in asubstantially rectangular shape and a bottom 13 substantiallycoextensive with the container sidewalls. In some embodiments, acontainer comprises a top, for example a sealed top. In some embodimentsthe four sidewalls are coextensive and secured to a bottom 13 therebyforming an open box-like configuration (e.g., a box with 4 sides, abottom and no top). Sometimes a sidewall and/or a bottom of a containeris substantially rectangular in shape. In some embodiments a containercomprises two opposing sidewalls 11 and two opposing sidewalls 10 (e.g.,10A and 10B). Sometimes a container sidewall and/or container bottom issubstantially flat and/or substantially planar. Sometimes a containersidewall and/or container bottom comprises ribs (e.g., interior ribs orsupports, exterior ribs or supports) or one or more supportingbuttresses 12. Sometimes a container sidewall and/or container bottomcomprises no ribs (e.g., interior ribs or supports, exterior ribs orsupports) or buttresses. In some embodiments two sidewalls of acontainer (e.g., 10 and 11) are joined at a junction 7. Sometimes acontainer comprises 3 or more junctions. Sometimes a substantiallyrectangular container comprises four junctions. Sometimes a junctioncomprises a curve and/or a corner.

In some embodiments a container is substantially round or circular. Insome embodiments a container sidewall or bottom is substantially curved.In some embodiments a container comprises a single sidewall that issubstantially curved and substantially concentric. In some embodiments acontainer resembles the shape of a cylinder. In some embodiments, acontainer is substantially asymmetrical resembling the shape of anaturally occurring or manmade pond, lake, pool, basin or trough.

The term substantially planar means that a surface lies in a plane andthat some portions of the surface, (e.g., less than about 20%, less thanabout 15%, less than about 10%, less than about 5%, less than about 4%,less than about 3%, less than about 2% or less than about 1% of thesurface) may lie outside of a plane. The term substantially flat meansthat a surface is flat and may comprise some imperfections and/ordeviations. For example a surface that is substantially flat maycomprise bumps, texture, embossed indicia, divots, a slight bow, aslight curve, the like or combinations thereof. Sometimes a surface thatis substantially flat may comprise a slight bow comprising an arc with aheight of about 1 mm or less.

Sometimes a container sidewall and/or a container bottom is not flat.For example sometimes a container sidewall and/or a container bottomcomprises ribs (e.g., interior ribs, supports). Sometimes a containersidewall and/or a container bottom is textured or comprises projections(e.g. ridges, grips, knobs, wells, bumps, steps). In certain embodimentsa container sidewall and/or a container bottom comprises a curve or abow, (e.g., a convex or concave bow).

In some embodiments one or more sidewalls of a container areperpendicular to the container bottom. In certain embodiments acontainer sidewall is not perpendicular to a container bottom. In someembodiments a container sidewall is oriented at an angle from about 30to about 110 degrees relative to a container bottom.

In some embodiments a container is configured to contain a liquid. Insome embodiments a container is a basin. In some embodiments a containerbottom and container sidewalls are sealed and can contain a liquid(e.g., without leaking). In some embodiments a container issubstantially water tight (e.g., with the exception of integrateddrains, waste inlet and outlet plumbing). In some embodiments acontainer is substantially air tight (e.g., for a completely closedsystem). In some embodiments an interior surface of a container bottom13 comprises features (e.g., wells, shallow wells, air inlets,depressions, ridges or troughs) that can be used to assist in fluidhandling (e.g., fluid transport, draining) or to increase surface area.In some embodiments a container bottom comprises one or more featuresarranged in a suitable array.

In some embodiments a container sidewall comprises a buttress 12. Insome embodiments a container comprises 1 or more buttresses. A buttress,without being limited to theory, often provides rigidity and/or strength(e.g., compressive strength, lateral strength) to a wall (e.g., asidewall). In some embodiments a buttress reinforces a wall. Sometimes abuttress provides a point of engagement for machine (e.g., a modifiedfork lift) to move a container, or position and/or hold a containerwithin a media bed. In some embodiments a container comprises at leastfour buttresses. In some embodiments a container comprises 2 to 30buttresses. Sometimes a container comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 buttresses. In someembodiments a container comprises 10 buttresses. In some embodiments asidewall comprises one or more buttresses and sometimes 2 or morebuttresses. In some embodiments a sidewall comprises 1 to 10 buttresses.Sometimes a sidewall comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12buttresses. In certain embodiments a sidewall comprises 2 to 4buttresses. In certain embodiments, a container comprises 8 buttresseswhere each sidewall of the container comprises 2 buttresses. Sometimesbuttresses are on adjoining sidewalls and sometimes are at or near awall junction 7. In some embodiments a container comprises one or moreclasping, clamped, diagonal, angled, setback, and/or “French”buttresses.

In certain embodiments, a container comprises a ridge 8 and/or a lip 9.In some embodiments a ridge or a lip are configured for storage andhandling of a container. In some embodiments a ridge and a lip areconfigured to direct overflow away from a container sidewall. In someembodiments, a ridge and/or lip provide an attachment site for varioushardware (e.g., hardware used to secure plumbing fixtures to a mediabed).

A media bed or container of a media bed may comprise any suitablevolume, width, length or diameter. In some embodiments a media bedand/or container comprises a depth of at least at least 15 cm, at least20 cm, at least 30 cm, at least 40 cm, at least 50 cm, at least 100 cmor at least 1 meter. In some embodiments, the depth of a container is ina range of 15 cm to 60 meters, 15 cm to 40 meters, 15 cm to 30 meters,15 cm to 25 meters, 15 cm to 20 meters, 15 cm to 15 meters, 15 cm to 6meters, or 15 cm to 3 meters. In some embodiments a media bed and/orcontainer comprises a depth of about 6 inches to 50 feet, about 10inches to 50 feet, about 1 foot to 50 feet, about 1.5 feet to 50 feet,about 2 feet to 50 feet. In some embodiments a media bed and/orcontainer comprises a depth of about 6 inches to 50 feet, about 6 inchesto 40 feet, about 6 inches to 20 feet, about 6 inches to about 10 feet,about 10 inches to 50 feet, about 10 inches to 40 feet, about 10 inchesto 20 feet, about 10 inches to 10 feet, about 1 foot to 50 feet, about 1foot to 40 feet, about 1 foot to 20 feet, about foot to about 10 feet,or about 1 foot to about 4 feet.

In some embodiments a media bed or container of a media bed comprises asuitable volume. In certain embodiments a container comprises a volumeof 5 liters to 1,000,000 liters, 5 liters to 100,000 liters, 5 liters to10,000 liters, 5 liters to 5,000 liters or 5 liters to 1,000 liters.

In some embodiments, a container comprises a suitable aeration meansconfigured to introduce air and/or oxygen into the contents of acontainer. In certain embodiments, an aeration means is configured tointroduce air and/or oxygen into a media bed, biomass or aqueous contentthereof. In some embodiments, an aeration means is configured tointroduce air and/or oxygen into the water of a media bed. Any suitableaeration means can be used. In certain embodiments, an aeration meanscomprises one or more pumps operably coupled to one or more air inletconduits and/or to one or more air inlets. In certain embodiments, anair inlet and/or an air inlet conduit comprises a suitable pipe or tube.In some embodiments, an air inlet, or portion thereof, comprises a port,hole or opening. An air inlet may comprise one or more air inlet holesor ports integrated in the bottom or sidewalls of a container. Incertain embodiments, an aeration means comprises one or more tankscomprising compressed air operably coupled to one or more air inletconduits which are operably coupled to one or more air inlets.Accordingly, a container may comprises one or more air inlets (e.g.,holes or ports). In some embodiments an air inlet conduit comprises afirst end operably coupled to an air source or oxygen source (e.g., apump or pressurized tank) and a second open end submerged in media bed,biomass or aqueous content thereof. In some embodiments an air inletconduit, or a portion thereof is perforated or comprises a plurality ofholes. In some embodiments an air inlet conduit comprises a first endoperably coupled to an air source or oxygen source (e.g., a pump orpressurized tank) and a portion of the conduit and/or a second end ofthe conduit is submerged in a media bed, biomass or aqueous contentthereof. In some embodiments, the portion of the air inlet conduit thatis submerged is perforated or comprises a plurality of holes. In someembodiments an aeration means is configured to introduce air orconcentrated oxygen into a media bed, a biomass or aqueous contentthereof. In some embodiments, an aeration means comprises an air inlet32 operably coupled to an air inlet conduit 32, where the air inletconduit 32 is perforated thereby allowing air or oxygen to escape theconduit and enter into the contents of the container (e.g., thebiomass). In certain embodiments, an aeration meads comprises stones,disc diffusers, diffuser air lines, mixers, the like or combinationsthereof. In certain embodiments, oxygenation is accomplished throughactive aeration (floating beds where roots hang down into oxygenatedwater), nutrient film technology (NFT) gutters (where water flows in ashallow sheet and is oxygenated by diffusion from the atmosphere), dutchbuckets (where water is pulsed through buckets that drain betweenfillings), or spraying the water (causing a mist of nutrient rich waterin an air environment).

In some embodiments, a media bed or container comprises a waste inlet(e.g., 107). In certain embodiments, a media bed or container thereofcomprises one or more waste inlets. A waste inlet is often configured toprovide aqueous waste to a media bed or container thereof. In someembodiments, a waste inlet is operably coupled to one or more wasteconduits located in the interior of a container or media bed.Non-limiting examples of a conduit includes a pipe, tube, channel, thelike and combinations thereof. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, awaste conduit comprises one or more pipes or tubes. A waste conduit canhave any suitable dimensions. In some embodiments, a waste conduit(e.g., a pipe or tube) has an inside diameter of at least 1 cm, or in arange of 1 cm to about 1 meter. In some embodiments, a waste conduit isoperably coupled to one or more valves (e.g., a ball valve, e.g., 208)and/or fittings (e.g., adapters, T-fittings, elbows, clamps, and thelike). Accordingly, a waste conduit often comprises one or more valves.In some embodiments, a waste conduit comprises one or more manifolds(e.g., 206). A manifold often comprises a plurality of perforations orholes configured to release oxidizable waste from the conduit into themedia bed or container.

In some embodiments, an inlet 32 is operably coupled to one or moreconduits, one or more waste manifolds 206, one or more valves and one ormore fittings. In certain embodiments, a waste conduit comprises a firstend comprising an opening, optionally coupled to a valve (e.g., 208) andsecond end operably coupled to an inlet (e.g., 107), wherein the openinghas an inside diameter of at least 1 cm, or in a range of 1 cm to about1 meter. In some embodiments, a waste conduit comprises one or moreregulators, and/or gauges.

In some embodiments, a waste inlet (e.g., 107) is operably coupled to awaste intake system located exterior to a media bed or containerthereof. A waste intake system can comprise a pump (e.g., a waste pump,e.g., 245), various conduits, fittings, regulators, valves, gauges andthe like, all operably coupled and configured to remove waste from awaste source and deliver the waste to the waste inlet 107, which interndelivers the waste to the media bed or container. Accordingly, incertain embodiments, a waste inlet is operably coupled to a waste pumpconfigured to introduce waste into a media bed or container through oneor more waste conduits. In certain embodiments a waste pump comprises aninput port 301 and an output port 300, where a waste inlet of a mediabed is operably coupled to an output port of a waste pump. In someembodiments, an input port of a waste pump is operably coupled to awaste intake conduit (e.g., 246) located exterior to a container ormedia bed. In some embodiments, a waste intake conduit comprises a firstend (e.g., an open end, e.g., 305) located at or in a waste source and asecond end operably coupled to an input port (e.g., 301) of a waste pump(e.g., 245). A waste pump and/or a waste intake system is configured totransport waste from a waste source to a media bed, or from a wastesource to an interior of a container (e.g., a container of a media bed).In some embodiments, a waste pump (e.g., a waste intake pump; e.g., 245)is operably coupled to a return conduit (e.g., 303) having a first endoperably coupled to an output port (e.g., 300) of a waste pump and asecond end (e.g., an open end, e.g., 304) located at or in a wastesource (e.g., sump tank 230). In some embodiments, a second end of areturn conduit comprises an opening. A return conduit can comprise oneor more fittings, valves, regulators, or gauges operably coupled to thereturn conduit. In some embodiments, a waste intake system comprises anintake conduit, a return conduit and optionally, one or more fittings,adaptors, valves, regulators or gauges.

In some embodiments, a media bed or container comprises a treated wasteoutlet 106 configured for removal of treated wasted from a media bed orcontainer. In certain embodiments, a treated waste outlet comprises abulkhead assembly (e.g., see FIG. 9) comprising a bulkhead 223 operablyintegrated into a sidewall or bottom of a container. In certainembodiments a treated waste outlet is operably coupled to one or moretreated waste outlet conduits (e.g., 207) located in the interior of amedia bed or container. In certain embodiments, a bulkhead comprises aninterior side located inside a container, and an exterior side locatedoutside a container, and the interior side of the bulkhead is operablycoupled to one or more treated waste outlet conduits. A treated wasteoutlet conduit can be any suitable conduit configured to transportaqueous material. In some embodiments, a treated waste outlet conduitcomprise pipes or tubes. A treated waste conduit may have any suitablediameter. In some embodiments, a treated waste outlet conduit has aninside diameter of at least 1 cm, or in a range of about 1 cm to about 1meter, or larger. In certain embodiments, a treated waste outlet conduitcomprise one or more valves, regulators, gauges, and/or fittings (e.g.,T-fittings, elbows, adapters, clamps, and the like). In someembodiments, a treated waste outlet conduit comprises a manifold orfilter. In some embodiments, a manifold comprises a plurality ofperforations or holes. In some embodiments, a treated waste outletconduit comprises an overflow drain or stand pipe (e.g., 28 or 227)comprising a first end comprising an opening, wherein the opening has aninside diameter of at least 1 cm, or in a range of 1 cm to about 1meter.

In some embodiments, a treated waste outlet is operably coupled to atreated waste return conduit (e.g., 232 & 233). In some embodiments, atreated waste return conduit is located outside of or exterior to amedia bed or container thereof, and is configured to transport treatedwasted from the waste outlet to a waste source or holding tank orreservoir. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a treated waste returnconduit terminates at a waste source. A treated waste return conduit canbe operably coupled to one or more pumps, valves, fittings, regulators,gauges, and the like. In certain embodiments, a treated waste returncomprises a stand pipe (e.g., 235) operably coupled to, or terminatingat or in a waste source (e.g., sump tank 230). In certain embodiments, awaste return comprises one or more pumps, valves (e.g., 236), fittings,regulators, gauges, and the like. In some embodiments, a treated wastedreturn conduit comprises an open end terminating at a waste source. Insome embodiments, a treated waste return conduit in configured torelease or direct treated waste into the environment. In someembodiments, a treated waste return conduit is operably coupled to adischarge conduit terminating with an open end, optionally coupled to avalve configured for discharge of treated waste into an externalenvironment.

In some embodiments, an apparatus described herein comprises ahomogenizer, blender, grinder and/or blender pump. In certainembodiments, a media bed or container thereof comprises a homogenizer,blender, grinder and/or blender pump. In some embodiments, a wastesource comprises a homogenizer, blender, grinder and/or blender pump.

In some embodiments, a media bed or container comprises one or morewater inlets for introducing water into a media bed or container.

Media

In some embodiments a media bed, or a container of a media bed,comprises media. Without being limited to theory, media allows for thefree flowing of the aqueous waste stream, water and oxygen. The coarsestructure of the media in the media bed can provide a stable structurethrough which the worms can move, eat, anchor and reproduce. In theabsence of a suitable media, the worms can be washed from the media bed.The physical structure of the media can further provide a high surfacearea for chemotrophic microbes that can oxidize ammonia to nitrite andnitrite to nitrate. The worms, in turn, can eat excess bacteria andbiological wastes between and on the media that, in turn, allows forfree flow of oxygenated and waste rich water throughout the bed.Additionally the media bed can provide a physical structure for plantsand their supporting roots to anchor, if they are employed in thesystem. Thus, media beds in accordance with exemplary embodiments thatinclude the presence of worms allow the flow of nutrient rich,oxygenated water that can then be intercepted by plant roots forincorporation into plants and removed from the system. In use, the mediabed 105 contains one or more types of biologically inert, non-soil media(omitted from FIG. 3 for clarity of illustration of the plumbedconnections). In some embodiments, the media is suitable for supportingplant life to accomplish nutrient uptake.

In some embodiments, media comprises aggregates, fibers or particles. Insome embodiments, media particle size may range from as small as about10 microns (e.g., in the case of sand) up to about 5 cm (e.g. gravel),or more. In certain embodiments, media comprises particles, fibersand/or aggregates, each individually, or collectively, having a minimummean, minimum average or minimum absolute diameter of at least 5microns, at least 10 microns, at least 100 microns or at least 1 mm. Incertain embodiments, media comprises particles, fibers and/oraggregates, each individually, or collectively, having a mean, averageor absolute diameter of 5 microns to 100 cm, 10 microns to 100 cm, 5microns to 50 cm, 10 microns to 50 cm, 100 microns to 50 cm, 5 micronsto 25 cm, 10 microns to 25 cm, 100 microns to 25 cm, 5 microns to 10 cm,10 microns to 10 cm, or 100 microns to 10 cm. In certain embodiments,media comprises particles, fibers and/or aggregates, each individually,or collectively, having a mean, average or absolute diameter of 5microns to 100 cm, 10 microns to 100 cm, 5 microns to 50 cm, 10 micronsto 50 cm, 100 microns to 50 cm, 5 microns to 25 cm, 10 microns to 25 cm,100 microns to 25 cm, 5 microns to 10 cm, 10 microns to 10 cm, or 100microns to 10 cm. Non-limiting examples of media include activatedcarbon, granular activated carbon (GAC), pelletized activated carbon,polymeric fibers, crushed stone, pumice, sand, plastic media, gravel,recycled glass, expanded lightweight aggregate, the like, andcombinations thereof.

While a media bed 105, or contents thereof, is flooded with water andthe worms are thus submerged, that actual volume of water in a media beddepends at least partially on the particular media employed and theresulting pore space. Generally the content of water in a media bed maybe as low as 10% up to about 90% by volume water, more typically about10% to about 70% by volume water, and in some embodiments is about 30%to about 70% by volume water, such as about 40% by volume water. In someembodiments, the water content of a media bed is at least 30%, at least40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least90% water (vol/vol). In some embodiments, the water content of thecontents of a media bed or contents of a media bed container (e.g., amixture heterogeneous mixture comprising one or more of media, water,worms and aqueous waste) is at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, atleast 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% water (vol/vol).

In some embodiment, the amount of aqueous waste introduced into a mediabed is limited by the amount of ammonia (dry weight) in the waste, whichshould not exceed the mass (wt) of worms in the media bed by more than afactor of 2. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the amount of ammoniaintroduced into a media bed per day has a ratio of ammonia to worms(ammonia:worms (wt/wt)) of less than about 2:1, less than about 1.7:1,less than about 1.5:1, less than about 1.2:1, less than about 1:1, orless than about 0.9:1.

In some embodiments, the flow of aqueous waste into a media bed is lessthan about 100,000 liter/kg/day (vol. aqueous waste/wt. of worms inmedia bed/time), less than 10,000 liter/kg/day, 1000 liter/kg/day, orless than about 1000 liter/kg/day. In some embodiments, the amount ofaqueous waste introduced into an apparatus or media bed described hereinis in a range of 100,000 liter/kg/day (vol. aqueous waste/wt. of wormsin media bed/time) to about 1 liter/kg/day, 10,000 liter/kg/day to about1 liter/kg/day, 1,000 liter/kg/day to about 1 liter/kg/day, or about 100liter/kg/day to about 1 liter/kg/day.

Plants

In some embodiments, a media bed or biomass comprises plants. A widevariety of plants may optionally be cultivated in a media bed 105. Thecultivation of plants results in the uptake of nitrates and othernutrients resulting from the oxidation of animal or plant waste. Theplants remove nitrates and other nutrients that would be harmful to thesurrounding environment if directly discharged. Alternatively, the mediabed may be free of plants such that the effluent in the media beddischarge stream is high in nitrate content and oxidized waste that canthen be directed for use in fertilizer applications outside of the mediabed, either in other vessels fluidly connected within the wastetreatment system (float beds, towers, nutrient film technology (NFT) andfloat beds, for example) and/or to provide a nutrient rich water for useoutside the waste treatment system that can be concentrated for use asfertilizer or for direct use on terrestrial plant crops in moretraditional growing settings (e.g., greenhouses, irrigation of fields,etc.).

Plants in media beds can be species that are considered terrestrial(such as lettuce and tomatoes) but the oxygenation of the media bedsallows their roots to thrive in an aqueous environment. Any suitableplant can be used in a media med or biomass described herein,non-limiting examples of which include bananas, tomatoes, beets,brassica family species (mustard family), fruiting crops, sunflowers,Ipomea aquatica (water spinach), Typha spp. (cattails), Juncus spp.(rushes), Scirpus spp. (club rushes and bull rushes), and Hydrillavercilata (water thyme). In certain embodiments for waste remediation,hyper-accumulators of metals such as sunflowers, Ipomea aquatica (waterspinach), Typha spp. (cattails), Juncus spp. (rushes), Scirpus spp.(club rushes and bull rushes), Hydrilla vercilata (water thyme), andothers can be used to used to maximize the uptake of waste andcontaminates from the beds.

Systems

In some embodiments, a waste treatment system or aquaponics system is atrue zero-discharge system; bio-solids and oxidizable ammonia arehazardous to sustaining cultivated fish and plant life in the system butare so effectively remediated to levels below those which are toxic tothe fish and plant species within the system that no periodic dischargeis required to reduce toxin levels.

A fish tank 101 may be any kind of tank or pool that contains fish orother cultured aquatic life in a life-sustaining liquid, typicallyfresh-water. The fish tank may further include liquid waste and solidwastes excreted by the fish or other aquatic life. The fluid, includingthe waste product, flows from the fish tank 101 to a separating tank102. The separating tank 102 may be any suitable separation apparatus toseparate solid wastes from the liquid. Suitable apparatus for theseparating tank includes, but is not limited to, sand filters, beadfilters, baffled clarifiers, membrane filters, settling tanks, orcombinations thereof. In some embodiments, the separating tank 102 is acollection tank or a settling tank, in which solids fall out of theliquid by gravity.

The separated solids or solid wastes may be directly delivered to themedia bed 105. Similarly, the separated liquid i.e., water containingammonia and other liquid waste (as well as suspended solid waste) mayalso be directed to the media bed 105 without removal of the solid wastefrom the water, providing it is well mixed and can penetrate the spacesbetween media in the bioreactor bed. As illustrated in FIG. 1, theseparated liquid is directed to one or more bioreactor(s) 103, 104 inwhich the separated liquid undergoes further treatment to oxidize thewaste in each stream, such as converting ammonia to nitrite, and nitriteto nitrate in the liquid stream.

In one embodiment, a first bioreactor 103 contains bacteria thatconverts ammonia to nitrite, while a second bioreactor 104 receives flowfrom the first bioreactor 103 and contains bacteria that convert nitriteto nitrate. In one embodiment, bacteria in bioreactor 103 may be thesame kind as bacteria in bioreactor 104. In another embodiment, bacteriain bioreactor 103 may be dissimilar to bacteria in bioreactor 104.

Although shown as two separate vessels to form two separate bioreactors,it will be appreciated that a single bioreactor may be employed withboth classes of bacteria (those converting from ammonia to nitrite andthose converting from nitrite to nitrate) both present in the samebioreactor. Likewise, it will further be appreciated that more than twobioreactors may be employed in series. The number of bioreactors maydepend in part on the levels of impurity contained in the fluid as wellas the size of the bioreactor, which may be provided as any vessel thatcan contain a suitable volume of liquid to host the bacteria.

In some embodiments, the bioreactors may include a large volume ofnet-like elements such as net, wire, grid, guide wire grid, orcombinations thereof, providing high surface area to facilitatebacterial growth. Different types of net-like elements may be used foreach bioreactor, depending on the kind of bacteria contained in it.

As illustrated, ammonia in the liquid leaving the separating tank 102 isconverted to nitrite in the bioreactor 103, and formed nitrite isconverted to nitrate in turn in the bioreactor 104. A high conversion ofammonia to nitrate is desired because plants (such as those grown in amedia bed) consume only nitrates, while ammonia and nitrite are harmfulto most plant life, although some conversion of ammonia to nitratesoccurs throughout the entire system, particularly within the column ofmedia within the media bed 105. However, it will be appreciated, asdiscussed previously with respect to the media bed, that in someembodiments, the bioreactor(s) may be omitted entirely, with all of thebacteria necessary to convert ammonia to nitrate present directly in themedia bed. Generally, the use of solid/liquid separator 102, such as aclarifying, swirl filter, or other equipment, to supply liquid waste tobioreactors 103, 104 for conversion to nitrates and usable nutrients ismost advantageous when it is desired to direct nutrient rich water toother growing equipment other than or in addition to media beds; forexample, NFT gutters, vertical towers, float beds, dutch buckets, etc.When enough plants are cultivated in the media bed to absorb allnutrients (or the nutrients are discharged for fertilizer), the use ofseparate bioreactors 103, 104 may be omitted.

Referring still to FIG. 1, from the bioreactor(s), the water, now richin nitrates, flows to the media bed 105, in which it is remediated bythe presence of the filtration media and worms as already described. Inthis closed system, exemplary embodiments achieve a balance of removingfish waste that would be harmful to plants by converting it intonitrates, while the plants in the media bed 105 (and/or in other growingapparatus that might be included and to which the nutrient rich water isdirected within the closed-loop system) remove nitrates that would beharmful to the fish and/or the surrounding environment if directlydischarged.

FIG. 2 shows a more detailed schematic of an embodiment of a portion ofa system 100 relating to the media bed 105 is shown. In this embodiment,a pump 203 is in communication with an incoming waste stream which iseither a primarily solid waste stream released from the separating tank102, a flow of water containing the liquid leaving the bioreactor 104,or a combined flow. Supply of the waste stream to the pump is preferablyand advantageously controlled by a single valve 202. Similarly, theoperation of the pump 203 may also be controlled by a single switch 204.Generally, the valve 202 is positioned so that the waste stream isflowing from the second bioreactor 104, with periodic operation to feedaccumulated solid waste from the separating tank 102 (with which willalso flow some incoming liquid from the separating tank).

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a system illustrating that aplurality of media beds 105 may be used in parallel within a wastetreatment system. FIG. 4 illustrates the ability of the media bed(s) asdescribed herein to be used in other types of waste treatment, such interrestrial animal waste reduction. One or more agriculture facilities,such as animal houses 410, provide a waste source of animal waste thatmay be in the form of raw manure and/or waste-laden runoff from cleaningoperations within the animal houses 410, for example.

Depending on the source of the animal waste, it may be desirable ornecessary for the manure to undergo one or more preliminary treatmentsteps prior to introduction into the waste treatment cycle. For example,when treating chicken or other animal waste, a drier/pelletizer 411 maybe employed to first sanitize the raw manure source.

The waste can then be introduced into the recirculated water stream,which may advantageously be accomplished in a mixing tank 412 tohomogenize the waste and recirculation streams into a pumpable fluid.The combined stream is then directed to pump 203 for introduction intothe media bed(s) 105 in the manner previously described. It will beappreciated that in some embodiments, the pump 203 may be a blender pumpand that the waste and recirculation streams may be combined andhomogenized directly in the pump apparatus without the need for aseparate mixing tank.

From the media beds, at least a portion of the remediated water can bedirected back to the mixing tank 412 or pump 203 as part of thecirculation stream. It will be appreciated however, that while thesystem may be closed, some or all of the remediated water may instead beremoved from the cycle via a discharge port 414 controlled by a valve413. The water may be sufficiently remediated to a level that is safe todischarge into the environment, such as a stream or municipal watersupply, or may be remediated to a desired elevate nitrate level forsubsequent use in fertilization in applications external the wastetreatment system.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 shows four separate media beds 105in parallel. The use of multiple media beds in parallel may be usefulfor accommodating large volumes of water while also providing fordifferent media and/or the cultivation of different crops in each of thebeds 105.

Alternatively, large volumes may be also accommodated using a single,large basin 500 as the media bed with multiple, parallel inlet andoutlet plumbing in order to still efficiently distribute the flowthroughout the bed, as illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 also shows anexample of the single basin 500 having an aesthetic, irregular geometrythat is more pond-like. Although media bed containers can generally besituated above or below ground, the basin 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 canbe formed using a pool or pond liner for in-ground settings, helping togive the appearance of a wetland. The basin 500 may even be cultivatedwith native wetland plants instead of crops to aid in the aesthetic andto decrease the operational expense of the bed.

Although primarily discussed thus far in the context of freshwatersystems, some embodiments also pertain to the processing ofbiodegradable or oxidizable organic and/or chemical waste streams inapplications in which wastewater contains high levels of salinity, suchas salt-water aquaculture or the remediation of waste from salt-watersources.

The microbes in such applications are generally still of the same familyNitrobacteraceae as those in freshwater application, particularlyspecies of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. However, while the freshwaterbacteria thrive in levels of salinity ranging from 0-6 ppt, saltwaternitrifying bacteria in these families thrive in salinity levels of 6-44ppt.

Dissolved oxygen levels within beds for saltwater applications should bemaintained to the same levels as in freshwater applications tofacilitate the colonization of microbes for the oxidation of ammonia tonitrite and nitrate. Without maintaining proper oxygen levels, theammonia becomes nitrogen gas which nitrogen fixing bacteria use to formtoxic hydrogen sulfide.

FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment in which the source of the wastestream is the effluent of an aquaculture facility 610 that usesaquaculture raceways 612 that employ a constant flow-through of freshwater, such as those found in many trout farm environments, for example.As illustrated, the aggregate flow leaving the aquaculture facility 610is passed through the media beds 105 for remediation. While theremediated water may be re-circulated for additional embodiments, themedia beds 105 described herein have been demonstrated to accomplishsufficient remediation in a single pass such that the remediated wateris suitable for discharge 414 back into the environment. It will beappreciated that not all aquaculture facilities 610 use raceways andthat regardless of whether the aquaculture facility uses raceways,tanks, or some combination thereof, the discharged water may berecirculated back to the aquaculture facility 610. In the case of araceway set up, the water may be re-introduced upstream of the raceways612.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates yet another application for exemplaryembodiments in which an agricultural field 715 having tile-drainage orother collection means resulting in waste-rich run-off that is collectedat a system outlet 716 and directed by one or more pumps 203 to themedia beds 105 for remediation. In embodiments in which the source ofthe waste stream is agriculture field run-off, it may be desirable touse a settling tank or other vessel (not shown) to prevent introducingexcess amounts of soil into the media bed(s) 105.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention allow for the safeprocessing of a variety of solid and liquid biological wastes from ahost of agricultural sources. Furthermore, exemplary embodiments can beconstructed in a manner that is easy to operate and energy efficient.

In some embodiments, a waste treatment system or an aquaponics system100 includes a fish tank 101, a separating tank 102, and a media bed 105that are fluidly connected in a continuous manner The system 100 is aclosed system without discharge to surroundings as part of regularoperations, thereby providing a true zero-discharge system.

The fish tank 101 may be any kind of tank or pool and contains fish orother cultured aquatic life in a life-sustaining liquid, typicallyfresh-water. The fish tank may further include liquid waste and solidwastes excreted by the fish.

The fluid, including waste product, flows from the fish tank 101 to theseparating tank 102. The separating tank 102 may be any suitableseparation apparatus to separate solid wastes from the liquid. Suitableapparatus for the separating tank includes, but is not limited to, sandfilters, bead filters, baffled clarifiers, membrane filters, settlingtanks, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the separating tank102 is a collection tank or a settling tank, in which solids fall out ofthe liquid by gravity.

The separated solids or solid wastes may be directly delivered to themedia bed 105. Similarly, the separated liquid i.e., water containingammonia and other liquid waste (as well as small amounts of suspendedsolid waste) may also be directed to the media bed 105. Alternatively,in one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the separated liquid mayfirst be directed to one or more bioreactor(s) 103 and 104. In eithercase, the separated solids and separated liquids each undergo furthertreatment to oxidize the waste in each stream, such as convertingammonia to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate in the liquid stream.

In one embodiment, a first bioreactor 103 may contain bacteria thatconvert ammonia to nitrite including, but not limited to, Nitrosomonas,Nitrosospira, Nitrosococcus, and Nitrosolobusand, while a secondbioreactor 104 may receive flow from the first bioreactor 103 andcontain bacteria that convert nitrite to nitrate, including, but notlimited to, Nitrobacter, Nitrospina, and Nitrococcus. In someembodiments, bioreactor 103 may contain Nitrosomonas, and Bioreactor 104may contain Nitrobacter. In some embodiments, bioreactors 103 and 104may include at least two kinds of bacteria. In an embodiment, bacteriain 103 may be the same kind as bacteria in 104. In another embodiment,bacteria 103 may be dissimilar to bacteria in 104.

Although shown as two separate vessels to form two separate bioreactors,it will be appreciated that a single bioreactor may be employed withboth classes of bacteria (those converting from ammonia to nitrite andthose converting from nitrite to nitrate) both present in the samebioreactor. Likewise, it will further be appreciated that more than twobioreactors may be employed in series. The number of bioreactors maydepend in part on the levels of impurity contained in the fluid as wellas the size of the bioreactor, which may be provided as any vessel thatcan contain a suitable volume of liquid to host the bacteria.

In some embodiments, the bioreactors may include a large volume ofnet-like elements such as net, wire, grid, guide wire grid, orcombinations thereof, providing high surface area to facilitate bacteriagrowth. Different types of net-like elements may be used for eachbioreactor, depending on the kind of bacteria contained in it.

As illustrated, ammonia in the liquid leaving the separating tank 102 isconverted to nitrite in the bioreactor 103, and formed nitrite isconverted to nitrate in turn in the bioreactor 104. A high conversion ofammonia to nitrate is desired because plants (such as those grown in themedia bed) consume only nitrates, while ammonia and nitrite are harmfulto most plant life.

From the bioreactor(s), the water, now rich in nitrates, flows to themedia bed 105. The media bed 105 generally includes one or more types ofnon-soil media that can support the plant life used in the system toaccomplish nutrient uptake. Suitable media includes, but is not limitedto, activated carbon, granular activated carbon (GAC), pelletizedactivated carbon, polymeric fibers, crushed stone, pumice, sand, plasticmedia, gravel, and combinations thereof.

As with the cultivation of fish-life in the fish tank 101, a widevariety of plants may be cultivated in the media bed 105. Thecultivation of plants results in the uptake of nitrates and othernutrients resulting from the oxidation of the fish waste. Thus,exemplary embodiments achieve a balance of removing fish waste thatwould be harmful to plants by converting it into nitrates, while theplants remove the nitrates that would be harmful to the fish. Theresulting system, by efficiently eliminating both solid and liquid wasteat high conversion rates, results in a closed, zero-discharge systemthat does not require any regular, periodic flushing to remove build-upof excess waste or nutrients.

Plants may be grown directly in the media bed 105. Alternatively, or inaddition to plant life cultivated in the media bed, the nutrient richwater containing nitrates and other oxidized waste may also be used withone or more other vessels fluidly connected to the media bed as part ofthe closed system configured to support plant life. Any suitable vesselor other arrangement that does not interfere with the closed nature ofthe system may be employed for additional plant cultivation. Exemplaryarrangements include, but are not limited to, float beds, towers,nutrient film technology (NFT) and ponds.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the media bed 105 further includesthe presence of worms cultivated in the media bed.

The presence of annelid worms in the media bed 105 accomplishes severaltasks. The worms in the bed continuously break down incoming solid wastedelivered from the separating tank 102, helping to prevent theaccumulation of solid waste in the media. This helps ensure that watereasily passes through the media, and reduces the chances for clogging.Additionally, the worms create passages in the media for the movement ofair throughout the bed so that all portions of the beds can contain highenough levels of dissolved oxygen to decrease the potential foranaerobic zones in the beds.

The presence of annelid worms in the media bed(s) also has the advantageof chelation of nutrients. Much of the nutrients in incoming solid wasteis not chelated and is, therefore, not water soluble. As the annelidworms break down the incoming solid waste and pass it through theirdigestive tract, the nutrients are chelated, making them water soluble,and therefore more readily available for uptake and use by plantsgrowing in the media bed.

In another embodiment, the media bed 105 is the subject of activeaeration. Active aeration may be performed by any suitable mechanism,including, for example, a regenerative blower, air pump, compressor,other mechanical equipment, or combinations thereof. The aeration allowsfor controlling the dissolved oxygen in the media bed 105. The activeaeration helps prevent the beds from developing anaerobic areas that areharmful to fish health and plant growth.

It will be appreciated that in embodiments in which the media bed issufficiently aerated, aerobic ammonia- and nitrate-converting bacteriamay be cultured directly in the media bed, thriving to perform theirfunction of converting liquid waste to nutrients without the need toemploy any additional vessels to act as separate bio-reactor(s).

Active aeration also aids in the safety of worm populations andsurprisingly allows them to survive in a water rich environment.Additionally, active aeration decreases the incidences of various plantroot infections and diseases.

Exemplary embodiments preferably employ the use of media beds 105 of thecontinuous flow type. In comparison to passively aerated, ebb-flowsystems, the use of a continuous flow bed decreases the incidence ofclogging in the bed, as the stones or other media remain sufficientlywetted to decrease the accumulation of algae and bacteria on the stones.This continuous movement further aids in decreasing the development ofanaerobic areas in the beds.

Turning to FIG. 2, a more detailed portion 106 of the system 100surrounding the media bed 105 is shown. A pump 203 is in communicationwith an incoming waste stream 107 which is either a solid waste streamreleased from the separating tank 102, a flow of water containing theliquid leaving the bioreactor 104, or a combined flow. Supply of thewaste stream to the pump is preferably and advantageously controlled bya single valve 202. Similarly, the operation of the pump 203 may also becontrolled by a single switch 204. Generally, the valve is positioned sothat the waste stream 107 is flowing from the second bioreactor 104,with periodic operation to feed accumulated solid waste from theseparating tank 102 (with which will also flow some incoming liquid fromthe separating tank).

The pump 203 delivers the incoming waste stream into the media bed 105at the waste inlet 107 via the supply manifold 206. To aid in clean,ongoing operation of the system, cleanout valves 208 may be located oneach supply manifold 206. As the pump 203 delivers the solid waste andassociated liquid to the bed, the solid waste is deposited in the media,filtering the associated liquid, while nutrients in the liquid areabsorbed by the plant life in the media bed 105. The filtered liquid isdisplaced back into the fish tank 101 through a drain line (e.g.,treated waste outlet conduit 207), eliminating the need for dischargingwaste from the closed system.

The present invention may also comprise a method of treating a solid andliquid waste in an aquaponics system 100. In an embodiment, the methodincludes the step of providing a fish tank 101 containing a fluid, aseparating tank 102, and a media bed 105.

The method further includes the step of delivering the fluid in the fishtank 101 to the separating tank 102. The separating tank 102 separatesthe fluid into solids and liquids. In one embodiment, the separatingtank 102 delivers the solids to the media bed 105, and the liquids tothe bioreactors 103 and 104. Bacteria in the bioreactor 103, such asNitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosococcus, and Nitrosolobus, convertammonia in the liquids to nitrite. Bacteria in the bioreactor 104, suchas Nitrobacter, Nitrospina, and Nitrococcus, convert nitrite intonitrate. In one embodiment, nitrate-rich liquids are delivered to themedia bed 105 although conversion to nitrate may also occur directly inthe media bed as previously described. Nitrate-rich liquids and thesolids may form a mixed stream before they are delivered to the mediabed 105. The media bed 105 filters the solids and nitrate-rich liquids,nitrates absorbed by cultivated plant life, and filtered liquid is thenreturned back to the fish tank 101.

The media beds, apparatus and systems described herein provide asustainable living ecosystem never before achieved, where submergedworms, microbes and plants can thrive and biodegrade large quantities ofaqueous or oxidizable waste. The media beds, apparatus and systemsdescribed herein also provide for many advantages and increasedefficiency over prior art methods. For example the media beds, apparatusand systems herein prevent clogging. Traditional biomediation systemssystems are particularly susceptible to clogging over time. They requireperiodic backflushing to maintain flow, periodic excavation to removecarbonaceous wastes by physical removal, or cleaning to remove byoxidizing carbonaceous waste build up. This type of maintenance iscostly, often due to labor costs, reduces the time that a system can beactive.

The media beds, apparatus and systems described herein eliminates thislabor and down-time cost. In some embodiments, a media bed, apparatus orsystem described herein can be operated continuously for more than ayear without down time, and without requiring removal of solid wastebuild up or cleaning. During this time the media bed, apparatus orsystem can maintain amounts of nitrifying bacteria required to remediateall the ammonia wastes generated by and introduced into the system, andmaintained the worm population through reproduction. By comparison,vermicomposting (on land) fails to remediate all of the ammonia waste,much of the nitrogen is ejected into the atmosphere as N2 gas andnitrates (plant nutrients) are derived from worm castings alone.Systems, media beds and apparatuses described herein maintain continuousaerobic conditions and ultimately returns almost all of the nitrogen asnitrate, a plant nutrient. This is due to aerobic nitrifying microbesconverting ammonia to nitrate. In systems described herein nitrate isproduced in the water at approximately 350 ppm, but the concentrationcan be varied from zero to greater than 1000 ppm based on waste loadingto the system. Worm castings alone have very low N concentrations (1.8%)and it would require dissolving 33.3 kg of worm castings in 2000 L waterper day to give a nitrate concentration 350 ppm. Therefore a systemdescribed herein also provides a major savings in nitrate provisioncompared to deriving the nitrate from worm castings alone. Our media bedsystems, by including nitrifying bacteria that oxidize ammonia andprovide a primary nitrate source, and worms that keep the system fromclogging, is much more efficient than either alone.

Traditional biofilters using nitrifying bacteria fixed to the mediawithout worms have ammonia reduction rates that vary strongly withsurface area of the media; the smaller the media the higher the surfacearea and the higher the nitrification rate. However hydraulic flowdeclines with media size making the filter less efficient at passingwater through it. Further, these filters require backflushing as theyclog with dead bacteria, and the inevitable carbon rich wastes thatcomes with them, and must be cleaned or backflushed. Therefore thesebiofilters are seldom used at a large scale or for waste streams thathave not had the biosolids removed in some other fashion. The efficiencyof such filters at removing ammonia from waste streams declines by 70%at C:N ratio as low as 1.0-2.0. The media beds described herein do notdecline in efficiency of ammonia removal at C:N ratios as high as 25:1with sufficient dissolved oxygen because the worms consume the organiccarbon, supply additional ammonia to the water from their respiration(which enhances activity of nitrifying bacteria), enhance theheterotrophic microbial activity of the whole system by exudates,polysaccharide slime, and enzymes, and reduce the overall systempopulation of heterotrophic bacteria by eating them. The ingesting andconsumption of heterotrophic bacteria not only keeps the beds fromclogging, it greatly reduces their number. This reduction in number isimportant as heterotrophic bacteria used in waste treatment can increasetheir populations five times faster than nitrifying bacteria, greatlylimiting their efficacy in nitrification. In one example, a media bedsystem can biodegrades 10 kilos of dried, solid, pelleted chicken wasteproducing ammonia levels of 26 ppm of ammonia (6 ppm Nitrate) therebyreducing ammonia levels to 0.0 ppm and nitrates to greater than 1000 ppmin six days.

Additionally, the media beds, apparatus and systems presented hereinprevent formation and subsequent release of methane and reduces thecontribution of organic waste and manure digestion to global climatechange. Accordingly, the media beds, apparatus and systems presentherein allow for the safe and efficient processing of solid and liquidammonia waste from aquaculture systems. Furthermore, the presentinvention is easy to operate, and is energy efficient.

Methods

In some embodiments, presented herein is a method of treating wastecomprising (a) providing a media bed comprising a biomass, wherein thebiomass comprises water and worms, the worms are submerged in the water,and the water comprises an oxygen content of at least 3 ppm; and (b)contacting the biomass with oxidizable waste, thereby forming a mixture.In certain embodiments, a method further comprises (c) removing aportion of the mixture, wherein the portion of the mixture comprisestreated waste. In some embodiments, the water further comprisesun-ionized ammonia at an amount of 5 ppm or less, or 0.5 ppm or less. Insome embodiments, the media bed and/or biomass comprises oxidizablewaste. In some embodiments, the media bed comprises media.

In some embodiments, the contacting of (a) and the removing of (c)comprises continually introducing the oxidizable waste into the mediabed while continually removing a portion of the mixture there providinga constant stream or current through the media bed.

In certain embodiments, the method further comprises aerating oroxygenating the media bed, water or biomass to an dissolved oxygenconcentration of at least 3 ppm, at least 3.1 ppm, 3.2 at least ppm, atleast 3.3 ppm, at least 3.4 ppm, at least 3.5 ppm, at least 3.6 ppm, atleast 3.7 ppm, at least 3.8 ppm, at least 3.9 ppm or at least 4.0 ppm.

In some embodiments, the method comprises generating a horizontal flowof the aqueous waste stream (oxidizable waste) through the media bed.Continuous or often repeated horizontal flow through the media bedavoids formation of anoxic pockets where bacteria that generate toxichydrogen sulfide form. It also avoids formation of filamentous bacteriathat will clog the media and disperses wastes evenly throughout themedia bed. In certain embodiments, a media bed is not be allowed to dryout or fully drain. In some embodiments, a media bed or biomass iscontinuously aerated.

In some embodiments, keeping a media bed aerobic by aeration avoids thegasification of nitrogen as N2 gas in anaerobic environments. In someembodiments, a media bed is continuously aerated from beneath by aperforated pipe, hose or air stones. In some embodiments, ambient air isused for aeration. In some embodiments, aeration or oxygenationcomprises introducing oxygen gas from tanks, or oxygen produced bygasified liquid oxygen, into a media bed or biomass. In certainembodiments, aeration is applied at a rate to maintain dissolved oxygenat a concentration of at least ≥3.0 ppm. While some fish, earthworms andmany microbes can tolerate dissolved oxygen below this level, 3.0 ppm isoften a lower threshold for microbial conversion of ammonia to nitrite.If dissolved oxygen goes below 3 ppm, ammonia often builds rapidly andbecomes toxic to living organisms in the system. If dissolved oxygendrops below 0.5 ppm the earthworms will leave the system if at allpossible. Further, dissolved oxygen ≥3.0 ppm aerates plant roots andthus allows for cultivation of plants, both aquatic and terrestrial,directly in the media beds.

EXAMPLES Example 1

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a media bed 105 prior to the introductionof media, water, and other bed contents. Waste enters the media bed 105via the waste inlet 107 which in the illustrated embodiment distributesthe waste on either side of the bed via waste inlet manifolds 206, whichmay be a continuation of the waste inlet conduit having holes along thelength of the bed for the waste to escape into the bed. The wastemanifolds 206 also optionally include valves 208 positioned to beaccessible above the media and which may aid in servicing any clogs thatmight occur within the manifolds 206. In some embodiments employing acontinuous flow arrangement, an additional water inlet 26 may optionallybe provided to maintain a constant volume of water flow by introducingwater free of solid wastes (for example, overflow from a fish tank inthe context of an aquaponics system). The use of an additional waterinlet 26 may be particularly advantageous for embodiments in which solidwastes are periodically introduced to the media bed 105 under pressurevia the manifolds 206.

While the embodiment in FIG. 3 shows the waste input 107 and wastemanifold 206 constructed of rigid PVC, these components, as well asother plumbing components within the invention can be constructed of avariety of materials, including but not limited to polypropylene,polyethylene, reinforced rubber hose, metal piping, etc. In oneembodiment, the interior plumbing components are constructed ofreinforced flexible rubber hose. This may help reduce the possibility ofdamage due to freezing water, shifting of the media bed 105 or itscontents, plant root growth, or other potential problems.

Remediated water leaves the media bed via the treated waste outlet 106.The remediated water is collected by a perforated drain pipe (e.g.,treated waste outlet conduit 207). An overflow drain 28 may also beconnected to the treated waste outlet 106; the overflow drain 28protects the media bed 105 from overflowing should there be a clog inthe outlet conduit 207.

In some embodiments, the waste inlet 107 is situated at a predeterminedheight above the outlet. It will be appreciated that the greater thedistance between the waste inlet and outlet, the greater the distancethat the water passes through the media, which may reduce the number ofcycles water needs to be circulated before the desired level ofremediation is achieved.

In some embodiments, the media bed 105 includes microbes (i.e. bacteriaand archaea) that convert ammonia to nitrite, as well as those thatconvert from nitrite to nitrate. The carbon dioxide gas in the wastewater and carbon compounds in the solid and liquid waste stream aid thisprocess by providing carbon sources for biomass construction to thebacteria, particularly those involved in the oxidation of ammonia.

Active aeration is used in the media bed 105 such that the watersurrounding the worms is oxygenated to 3.0 ppm dissolved oxygen orgreater. Thus, because the media bed is flooded with water and the wormsmay thus spend much or even all of their time in the media bedcompletely submerged in water, the oxygen content is maintained at sucha high level that worms, including ordinarily terrestrial earthworms,can nonetheless still breathe. Because the media bed and the waterwithin it is rich in waste, the worms have a sufficient supply ofavailable food that also sustains life. Although the worms can withstandperiodic short term conditions of lower dissolved oxygen, the bacteriathat oxidize ammonia to nitrite generally cannot and constant aerationis thus generally desired. The presence of bacteria within the media bedhelps control ammonia levels and the ammonia levels in the media bedshould be less than 5 ppm un-ionized ammonia, such as less than 1 ppmun-ionized ammonia and in some embodiments the media bed contains about0.7 ppm or less of un-ionized ammonia.

With the dissolved oxygen, the worms in media beds in accordance withexemplary embodiments are capable of obtaining enough oxygen throughtheir skin to survive, eat, and even reproduce despite the media bedbeing flooded with liquid water.

Conventional media beds without worms eventually build up bacteria andwastes and cease to function; they are prone to clogging, the formationof anaerobic zones, and potentially producing methane and hydrogensulfide, which are highly toxic to fish. These bioproducts have been aserious problem limiting use of media beds in aquaponics systems. Thepresence of annelid oligochaete worms in the media bed 105 in accordancewith exemplary embodiments accomplishes several tasks and overcomesproblems in conventional media beds.

As previously noted, it will be appreciated that because the media bedis sufficiently aerated, aerobic ammonia- and nitrite-convertingmicrobes may be cultured directly in the media bed, thriving to performtheir function of converting liquid waste to nutrients without the needto employ any additional vessels to act as separate bioreactor(s)upstream of the media bed.

In comparison to passively aerated, ebb-flow systems, the use of acontinuously flooded media bed decreases the incidence of clogging inthe bed, as the stones or other media remain sufficiently wet todecrease the accumulation of filamentous algae and bacteria on thestones. This continuous movement further aids in decreasing thedevelopment of anaerobic areas in the beds. These media beds may also beused with periodic wastewater flow, provided that the oxygen andmoisture levels are maintained within the media bed sufficient tosustain the bacteria and worms between and during periodic flow.

Example 2

In one embodiment, the media bed is constructed as a lined earthen pool(e.g., see FIG. 8). This embodiment allows for the rapid, economicdeployment of beds in a wide range of locations. While the dimensions ofthis type of bed can vary greatly, in some embodiments the bed isconstructed with a width in a range of about 2 feet to about 8 feetwide. In some embodiments, the depth of the bed is in a range of about 1foot deep to about 8 feet deep. The length of a bed can vary greatly. Itshould be noted that the above dimensions of width are to establishoptimal distances between the waste input lines (206) and the outletconduit (207). In embodiments where a larger containment basin isdesired, such as in the creation of a more natural appearing constructedwetland, multiple sets of waste input lines and collection lines can beutilized in parallel.

When a desired location has be selected for the installation of a mediabed, the land should be cleared of debris and leveled. The total area ofthe earth excavated is determined by the desired exterior dimensions ofthe bed being constructed. This is calculated by adding the walldimensions of the beds to the desired interior dimensions. The width ofthe side walls will vary depending on the material utilized. Forexample, in this embodiment, pressure-treated 2×12 lumber was used toconstruct the supporting edge of the beds (215). The thickness of theseboards was calculated into the overall dimensions of the beds. Thedesired dimensions should be clearly marked on the ground, and the earthwithin those dimensions should be excavated.

The depth of the beds will be determined by the desired internal depthof the bed, plus the depth of any necessary barrier between the linerand the earth below. Depending on the composition of the ground in whichthe bed is placed, it may be necessary to place a layer of protectivefoam board (216), or a layer of sand (217) on the bottom of theexcavated ground prior to placing the liner (218) in order to protectthe liner from sharp stones or other debris. Protective materials suchas liner felt (219) can be utilized as well to ensure a safe barrierbetween the liner and ground below. Once the proper excavation hasoccurred, it is important to ensure that any stones or other debris beremoved from the bottom and side walls of the hole.

Depending on the intended use of the media bed, it may be necessary toinstall a buried sump in front of the media bed. This sump will be usedfor dosing waste into the bed, and will also aid in recirculation of thewastewater through the bed, and the collection of water from the bed.The sump should be sized appropriately based off the sized of the bed,the intended outcome of the waste, the waste input being process, localground temperatures, and other factors. It is important that the usablevolume of the sump tank be at a lower elevation than the stable waterlevel of the media bed during operation.

For example, in this embodiment, the water level in the bed is 2 inchesbelow ground level (220). Therefore, a 48-inch tank, buried so that theaccess lid is 4 inches above ground level will require a 44-inch hole beexcavated. While this may be a 480-gallon tank by volume (i.e., about1817 liters), only the bottom 42 inches of tank are below the standingwater level of the media bed, giving the tank a usable capacity of only420 gallons (e.g., about 1590 liters). For ease of use and ongoingmaintenance of the system. It is suggested that the sump tank be buriedinside of a concrete sleeve. This allows the tank to be easily removedto be serviced or replaced without requiring further excavation in thefuture.

A hole sized appropriately to house the tank and optional concretesleeve should be excavated at the front end of the media bed hole. Atrench should be dug at the elevation of the bottom of the media bedhole connecting the two holes. Depending on the composition of theground in which the tank will be set, it may be necessary to dig thetank hole deep enough to allow for pavers, sand, or a stone bottom to beadded to the hole to ensure that the bottom of the tank sits level andsecure. The concrete liner and tank can be safely lowered into the hole.The trench between the tank and the bed should remain open until thefinal plumbing is complete.

If a foam (216) or sand bottom (217) is utilized in a media bed toprotect the liner, it should be installed at this point. In thisembodiment, 2-inch structural foam is cut to the inside dimensions ofthe bottom of the hole. The pieces of foam are taped together to keepthem from shifting as the liner is installed. If foam will be used toprotect the side walls of the liner, it will be installed after thestructural top edge.

A structural top edge can be added to the bed at this point. Thestructural top edge helps to maintain an elevated, defined line betweenthe ground outside the beds, and the media inside the bed. This top edgecan be constructed from a wide variety of materials as either an affixedwall or lumber, metal, or foam, or even a berm of earth, stone, ormasonry.

If a lumber structural top edge (215) is used on the bed, 1×1 stakes(221) should be hammered into the ground into the bottom of the holearound the perimeter of the bed. The stakes should be long enough thatthey are sufficiently supported in the ground, and the top of the stakesits at least 6 inches above will act as supports on which to mount the2×12 top edges of the bed.

Using a transit, or other level, mark each stake 6 inches below thecommon ground level (220) outside the bed. A transit should be used toensure that regardless of fluctuations in the ground level outside thebed, that the marks on the stakes are at the same elevation. This is keyto ensuring that the top of the bed is straight and level.

The 2×12 lumber (215) should be affixed to the stakes (221) so that thebottom of the board rests on the 6-inch marks. This will center theboard approximately at ground level, leaving a 6-inch lip extended aboveground level.

If foam board or other material is to be used to provide a protectivebarrier between the liner and the sides of the trench, it should beinstalled at the point. Material can easily be affixed to the uprightstakes in a similar fashion to the top lumber. If a protective linerblanket is to be installed, it can be careful laid into the trench,folded in the corners, and wrapped up and over the top edge boards. Notethat it should not be secured into place or cut to final fit at thispoint as it may shift or settle when the bed is filled with water ofmedia. The blanket and liner should both be free to move and settleduring the filling process.

When the top edge is installed, and any protective measures have beenput into place, the liner (218) can be carefully laid into the bottom ofthe trench. The corners of the liner should be folded to allow it tosettle into the corners of the trench. It is not critical that the linerbe fitted perfectly into place or secured to the top edge at this point.In the bottom of the front-end wall of the trench, cut a hole in theliner sized to receive a bulkhead of the necessary size for the amountof water flow through the bed. In this embodiment, a 3-inch hole is cutto receive a 2-inch ABS bulkhead (223). A 6×6-inch square of 1-inchpressure treated lumber (224) is used as a large washer against which topin the liner (218) to the bulkhead fitting. If a protective blanket(219) is used on the bed, the bulkhead will pass through the protectiveblanket in the same fashion as the liner.

When the bulkhead is fitted into place, use it as a guide to determinethe elevation of the through hole in the sump tank and concrete sleeve.Drill a hole through the concrete sleeve and sump tank (230) sizeappropriately for the plumbing used to connect the bulkhead and sumptank. In this embodiment, a 3-inch hole is drilled to accept a 2-inchuniseal fitting (231). The Uniseal is installed from the inside of thetank, and a beveled 2-inch pipe (232) is pushed through the uniseal tothe midpoint of the trench between the tank and the front wall of thebed where the bulkhead fitting it located. The pipe should long enoughthat the pipe sticks out toward the middle of the sump tank. On the endof the pipe inside the sump tank, a tee (233) is connected into placeand fitted with a cleanout port (234). A vertical standpipe (235) isadded that will be used to set the final running height of the waterwithin the bed.

Another section of pipe (232) is fitted into the exterior side of thebulkhead. This pipe should be long enough to reach other sections ofpipe coming from the tank, which can be connected with a solid or rubbercoupling.

On the side of the bulkhead inside the bed, a small section of pipe(225) should be installed into the bulkhead, leaving enough room tosecurely affix a tee (226) with the side port facing vertically. Avertical standpipe (227) should be affixed into the tee (226). Thisstandpipe should be long enough to extend approximately 1 inch above thefinal level of the media in the bed. This standpipe serves as anoverflow in the event that the main drainage line becomes clogged ordamaged, ensuring that incoming water from the sump tank does notoverflow out of the bed.

Another small section of pipe (228) is secured into the tee, on which alarge adapter (229) is affixed to connect the bulkhead drainage plumbingto the main discharge line. In this embodiment, a 4-inch flexible,perforated drain line (e.g., outlet conduit 207) was used, requiring a2-inch by 4-inch adapter be installed. This drain line is run alone thebottom middle of the bed. At the far end of the bed, the drain linecontinues up the back wall, extending up past the level of the media inthe bed. Once the media is installed in the bed, this drain line will becut down to the level of the gravel, and a screen will be fitted toensure nothing falls into the line. This allows for a simple access portinto the drain line, useful for future servicing or cleaning.

After the drain line is laid along the bottom of the bed, aeration linesshould be added. Any method of aeration that can achieve the necessarydissolved oxygen requirements of the bed can be utilized. In thisembodiment, ⅜th inch soaker hose (30) is connected to a PVC supplymanifold. The manifold is a 1-inch PVC pipe fitted with two maleadapters capable of receiving standard hose fittings. The PVC manifoldis placed vertically at the midpoint of the media bed, next to the drainpipe. The top of the manifold should extend above the final gravel levelof the bed.

The soaker hose is laid in a curved zig-zag patter under the drain pipethe entire length of the bed, each hose covering half of the bed. Thesoaker hose and drain line can be held into position by adding a layerof media into the bed as the hose is laid out. Prior to fully coveringthe bottom of the bed with media, pump out accesses can be installed tomake draining the bed easier should it become necessary. In thisembodiment, one section of 10-inch diameter drain (222) pipe was placedvertically at each end of the bed. These sections of pipe should be longenough that they sit resting just above the bottom of the beds, andextend above the final level of the media. These pipes provide locationsto pump water out of the bed should it become necessary to service orwinterize the bed.

At this point, a few inches of water can be added to the system to helpposition the liner into the edged of the bed. As water and media areadded to the bed, the outside of the liner and bed can be backfilled ifnecessary. This will ensure that similar pressure is put on the insideand outside of the liner as it fills, decrease the risk of stretchingthe liner. Water and media can continue to be added until the bed isfilled approximately 10 inches from the final media level. This depthcan vary due to the specific parameters of the bed being constructed,the waste being processed, and the architecture of the plants beingcultivated in the beds. At his point, the wastewater inlet lines (249)will be installed.

While the waste input lines can be constructed of a wide range ofmaterials, in this embodiment, 1.5-inch reinforced tubing is utilized tominimize the fittings present, protecting against damage from shiftingmedia and freezing water. The waste inlet tubing (249) is perforatedwith ¼th inch holes (250) every ten inches along the entire length. Thetubing is cut long enough that it can be placed along the entire lengthof the beds, approximately 6 inches from the side walls, while extendedabove the level of the media at both ends of the bed. When working withthe tubing in the beds, tape off the open ends to ensure that no debrisfalls into the lines. When the lines have been laid into place, continueadding media until the beds are filled to their necessary depth.

After all the media has been added to the beds, it is safe to secure theliner to the top end rail if one is being utilized. The liner can be cutdown to a manageable size, ensuring that enough liner remains to fold ittightly over the top edge rail. By carefully folding the corners, theliner can be made to lay cleanly over the rails. After wrapping theliner over the rails, it can be secured using a variety of fastenersincluding but not limited to screws with washers, staples, or tacks. Theliners can be buried slightly around the rails to aid in aesthetics. Ifa top rail is not being utilized, the liner can be cut to lay flat alongthe edge of the bed. If a berm-style edge is being used, the berm can beconstructed along the edge of the bed, above ground level. The linershould be wrapped over the top of the berm and affixed securely.

Once the bed is filled, the air manifold can be cut down and affixed toan air source suitable to maintain a dissolved oxygen level of at least3 ppm, such as but not limited to a regenerative blower, air pump,oxygen delivery system, or compressor.

The ends of the inlet pipes furthest from the sump should be fitted withball valves (236). These valves should remain closed during normaloperation, and are used to purge clogs and provide an access point intothe supply manifolds for cleaning and servicing. In this embodiment,1.5-inch threaded ball valves (236) were connected to 1.5-inch barbedmale adapters (237). These barbed fittings were inserted into the tubingand secured with metal hose clamps (238).

The supply end of the inlet lines, located near the sump tank, areconnected into a single manifold. In this embodiment, 1.5-inch barbedmale adapters (239) are inserted into the tubes and secured with metalhose clamps (240). 1.5-inch PVC female adapters (241) convert the tubingto PVC. Two 1.5-inch 90-degree elbows (242), and a 1.5-inch tee (243)are used to create a single manifold with an input port. This manifoldis connected to the circulating pump. A ball valve (244) is in placebetween the pump (245) and the manifold to provide control over the flowof water entering the bed. In this embodiment, a 1.5 hp, self-primingpump is used to lift wastewater from the sump tank, and deliver itthrough the input tubes. The inlet of the pump is a long 1.5-inch pipe(246) fitted to a 90-degree elbow (247). The bottom of this straw-likestructure draws wastewater off the bottom of the tank. The bottom of theinlet pipe sits 1 inch off the floor of the sump tank.

In an ideal embodiment, a small port (251) is added to the waste inletpipe supply manifold. A valve-controlled hose (252) takes a portion ofwater from the manifold, and returns it to the bottom of the sump tankin a manner that creates a swirling effect in the tank (253). Thisensure that solid waste does not become deposited in the bottom of thetank, but it stirred up and removed by the pump.

The pump should be connected to a float switch interrupted locatedtoward the bottom of the sump tank. This ensures that should the sumptank run low on water, the pump will not run dry or lose its prime.

The overflow pipe toward the front of the media bed should be cut downso that it rests approximately an inch above the level of the media. Apipe screen should be added to the overflow to ensure that no media orother debris falls into it.

Pump out accesses can be cut lower to the media for aesthetic purposes.Covers should be added to these accesses to ensure that neither debrisnor animals do not fall into them.

When the plumbing is finished, fill the bed to the desired standingwater level inside of the bed. In this embodiment, that water level is 2inches below the media. As the bed fills, the vertical standpipe insideof the tank will fill as well. Once the bed is at the desired level, cutthe stand pipe inside of the tank 2 inches below the water level insideof the pipe. Affix a rubber coupling (236) to the stand pipe with a hoseclamp. The top of the rubber couple should sit 2 inches above the top ofthe stand pipe. This will return the static water level to this heightwhen the beds are running. The rubber coupling allows the height of thewater level in the bed to easily be adjusted to compensate for waterflow once the bed is operational.

With the bed full, check the coupling connection between the drainageline from the bed and the sump tank to ensure the couple is not leaking.If the bulkhead and couplings appear dry, carefully backfill the trenchwith sand or clean fill.

Once the bed is finalized, the tank should be filled to a few inchesbelow the vertical standpipe. The bed can be cycled using inoculantfluids from another system to rapidly increase the adaptation andproliferation of necessary biota. When the bed is cycling, the mainvalve connecting the pump to the waste inlet manifold should be adjustedso that water is entering the bed at the rate that it can efficientlyflow through the bed. If the bed appears to be flooding, dial the pumpback slightly until a stable flow is established.

Waste should be slowly introduced to the bed at a rate that maintainsthe water quality within the effective ranges of the biota. This willallow for a smooth system startup. If plants are to be utilized in thebed, they should be introduced once the water quality parameters havesettled into a range safe for their introduction into the bed.

Example 3 Media Bed Set Up Building the Media Bed Bioreactor 1. Assembly2. Sequential Initiation of Biological Community

Once the Media Bed has been assembled it should be filled with potablewater and the aeration system activated. If chlorine is present (as inmany municipal supplies) the water in the system should be circulatedfor 24 hours to allow outgassing of the chlorine. After 24 hours (orimmediately after filing if no chlorine is present) a microbialinoculant is added to the media bed bioreactor. This inoculant can betaken from the waste stream of a functioning system either in ordirectly after the media bed bioreactor. Alternatively the inoculant maybe composed of selected microbes. Inoculation is followed with an amountof biological waste (e.g., derived from chicken, hog, or fish) orhousehold liquid ammonia to raise ammonia levels to about 15 ppm. Thiswill allow nitrifying microbes to increase in population and beginconversion of ammonia to nitrite. Ammonia levels will begin to drop asthe microbes convert ammonia to nitrite. Nitrite levels will riseproportionately then microbes converting nitrite to nitrate will beactivated and nitrate levels will begin to rise as ammonia and nitritelevels fall in one to seven days. Once ammonia levels drop to less than1.0 ppm then earthworms (initial stocking rate of approximately 500 m³)should be added directly to the media bed. Plants can also be added tothe media bed bioreactor at this time as desired. Waste treatment canbegin at this point.

Wastes will inherently vary in Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) andChemical Oxygen Demand (COD) as well as concentration and digestibilityof bio-solids in the aqueous waste stream. The BOD, COD or combinationthereof is often greater than about 3 ppm in waste (e.g., aqueous waste,oxidizable waste). Therefore loading rates should be determinedempirically with each major variation in waste treated (e.g. switch fromone lot of chicken waste to another, one fish species feeding rate toanother, one fish species to another, etc.) in order that systemcritical values are maintained. In some embodiments, loading ratesshould maintain dissolved oxygen at ≥3.0 ppm in the media bed.

If the media bed bioreactor system is being used in an aquaculturetreatment aquaponics system, fish or other cultured species can beintroduced when initial unionized ammonia is consistently maintained at≤0.05 ppm and dissolved oxygen in the aquaculture portion of the systemis sufficient for the crop species deployed. Introducing fish earlierwill kill them regardless of dissolved oxygen levels. Nitrate is theleast toxic form of nitrogen ions in the system. In general nitratelevels should be maintained below about 800 ppm for aquaculture systemsemploying a media bed. Loading rates for systems with ammonia present inthe waste stream, or likely to form in the waste stream, should notexceed the biomass of the worms and DO should be maintained at greaterthan or equal to 3.0 ppm. If waste loading exceeds the biomass of theworms, the worm will not be able to keep up and heterotrophic microbeswill quickly increase in population. Heterotrophic microbes can increasetheir population much more rapidly than nitrifying bacteria which willstop oxidation of ammonia to nitrite, allowing ammonia to build to toxiclevels.

Additionally, this system makes no claims to reduce organic chemicalpollution (e.g. antibiotics, pharmaceuticals) in the aqueous wastestream. Therefore a waste stream can be monitored for hazardous wastethat may include high levels of metals or chemicals that might killworms, microbes, fish, plants of a biomass. Non-limiting examples ofhazardous waste include waste comprising cadmium (Cd) at levels greaterthan 1843 ppm, Arsenic (As) at levels greater than 100 ppm in 21 days,lead (Pb) at levels greater than 4480 ppm, copper (Cu) at levels greaterthan 643 ppm, zinc (Zn) at levels greater than 662 ppm, nickel (Ni) atlevels greater than 757 ppm and chromium (Cr) at levels greater than1800 ppm, which can be toxic to some earthworm species after a period ofexposure of 14 days or more. These metals are not typically found atsuch high levels in aqueous waste streams, but may be present in someundiluted hazardous waste discharged from a factory or industrialmanufacturing plant. Some hazardous waste comprises high levels ofpesticides which vary substantially in their toxicity to worms, plantsand microbes. Accordingly, in certain embodiments aqueous waste and/oroxidized waste is not hazardous waste. Some metal ions are necessaryplant micronutrients (e.g. copper, boron, calcium) but may be toxic toplants at higher levels. Whereas other heavy metals that are notmicronutrients for plants may also be incorporated into plant materialsbut can be treated separately in the removed plant materials.

3. Continued Operation

Waste streams are inherently variable in BOD, COD, particle size andchemical composition. Therefore the most critical monitoring of thesystem will need to capture this variability in the empiricalfunctioning of the system. Additionally the rates of biochemical andchemical processes of this system are dependent on temperature anddissolved oxygen concentrations and the health of the organismsemployed. Optimal temperature for growth of nitrifying bacteria is often20-30° C. with a minimum of 4° C. and death occurring at 0° C.Earthworms have an optimal range of about 15-25° C. Therefore, in someembodiments, the temperature of a system is maintained at 20-25° C. tooptimize both microbial activity and the activity of the annelidoligochaete worms. The lower limit of the system (4° C.) is oftendetermined by the temperature minimum for microbes that convert nitriteto nitrate. If they are not operating, nitrates will not form, greatlyslowing plant growth, and nitrites will accumulate. If fish arepresent—this accumulation of nitrite will poison them regardless ofammonia or dissolved oxygen levels.

In some embodiments, dissolved oxygen is maintained at ≥3.0 ppm. Whileearthworms and fish may tolerate lower dissolved oxygen rates, thecommon microbes responsible for oxidizing ammonia to nitrite will oftencease to function below this level and ammonia will accumulate.Experience indicates proper DO levels are difficult to maintain withatmospheric aeration, especially at temperatures above 32° C.Accordingly, in some embodiments, a media bed comprises a forcedaeration system using atmospheric air, or air supplemented with higherlevels of oxygen.

In some embodiments, a media bed will operate normally within a pH rangeof 6.5 to 9.0, which is compatible for most freshwater organisms.However care must be taken to monitor ammonia levels. If pH falls below6.5, the activity of microbes that convert ammonia to nitrite will slow,and ammonia can build rapidly. Adjusting pH upward can be accomplishedwith a number of common chemicals but care must be used to avoid thosecontaining sodium (e.g. sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydroxide) as thesodium rapidly changes the salinity, alkalinity, and electricalconductivity of the water. This is also important for plant growth, ifplants are fertilized with the effluent of a media bed, or used in themedia bed directly. Maintaining alkalinity of 100-150 ppm CaCO₃ is alsohelpful to maintain the microbial nitrification processes.

In some embodiments, chelated iron is needed to be added to maintainiron levels in the effluent and/or media bed at levels sufficient forplant growth. Iron (Fe) has multiple valence states. The Fe3+ form isthe most common form of iron on earth but the Fe2+ is much more usefulby plants. Unfortunately the Fe2+ readily converts to Fe3+ andprecipitates out of solution at the pH and DO levels utilized in a mediabed. Iron chelates such as Fe-EDTA (stable to pH 6.0, and present to pH9.0) is relatively cheap compared to Fe DPTA (stable to pH 7.0 andpresent to pH 10.0). Given that plant nutritional needs vary strongly byspecies it is best to empirically monitor plants for signs of Fedeficiency (interveinal chlorosis) and correct according. In general wehave found 150 ml of powdered Fe DPTA/1800 L water/week is sufficient toprevent iron stress in plants grown in a media bed. Addition ofpotassium (K) may also be needed if plants with exceptionally highdemands for K (e.g., bananas) are grown in the media bed.

Lastly, aqueous waste streams to be treated in a media bed should bemonitored for the presence of toxic chemical pollutants (e.g.,antibiotics, pharmaceuticals) and other chemical pollutants (e.g., heavymetals) in an aqueous waste stream. Such pollutants should be low enoughso that they are not toxic to organisms in the system.

Example 4 Embodiments

-   A1. An apparatus comprising:

a media bed comprising a biomass, wherein (i) the biomass compriseswater and worms, (ii) the worms are submerged in the water, and (iii)the water comprises an oxygen content of at least 3 ppm.

-   A2. The apparatus of embodiment A1, wherein the water further    comprises un-ionized ammonia at an amount of 5 ppm or less.-   A3. The apparatus of embodiment A1 or A2, wherein the biomass    comprises oxidizable waste.-   A3.1. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 or A3, wherein the    water comprises oxidizable waste.-   A4. The apparatus of any one of embodiments, A1 to A3.1, wherein the    media bed further comprising media.-   A5. The apparatus of embodiments A4, wherein the media comprises    aggregates, fibers or particles.-   A6. The apparatus of embodiment A4 or A5, wherein the media is    selected from one or more of activated carbon, granular activated    carbon (GAC), pelletized activated carbon, polymeric fibers, crushed    stone, pumice, sand, plastic media, gravel, recycled glass, and    expanded lightweight aggregate-   A7. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A5 to A6, wherein the    aggregates, fibers or particles have an average diameter in a range    of about 10 microns to about 5 cm.-   A8. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A7, wherein the    worms are earthworms.-   A9. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A8, wherein the    media bed comprises a minimum average, minimum mean or minimum    absolute worm density of at least 100 worms/m³, at least 500    worms/m³, or at least 1000 worms/m³, or at least 10,000 worms/m³.-   A10. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A8, wherein the    media bed comprises an average, mean or absolute worm density of    about 100 worms/m³ to about 100,000 worms/m³, about 1000 worms/m³ to    about 100,000 worms/m³, about 100 worms/m³ to about 10,000 worms/m³,    about 500 worms/m³ to about 10,000 worms/m³, or about 1000 worms/m³    to about 10,000 worms/m³.-   A11. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A10, wherein the    earthworms comprise an earthworm of a family selected from the list    consisting of Acanthodrilidae, Ailoscolecidae, Almidae, Benhamiinae,    Octochaetidae, Criodrilidae, Diplocardiinae, Acanthodrilidae,    Enchytraeidae, Eudrilidae, Exxidae, Glossoscolecidae, Haplotaxidae,    Hormogastridae, Kynotidae, Lumbricidae, Lutodrilidae,    Megascolecidae, Microchaetidae, Moniligastridae, Ocnerodrilidae,    Octochaetidae, Octochaetinae, Sparganophilidae, and Tumakidae.-   A12. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A11, wherein the    earthworms comprise an earthworm of a species selected from the list    consisting of Alloborpha callignosa, Eisenia fetida, Eisenia andrei,    Dendrodrilus rubidus, Dendrobaena hortensis, Dendrobaena veneta,    Lumbricus rubellus, Lumbricus terretris, Drawida nepalensis,    Eudrilus eugeniae, Perionyx excavates, Polypheretima elongate, and    Lampito maurittii.-   A13. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A12, wherein the    earthworms comprise an earthworm of a species Eisenia fetida,    Eisenia andrei, Lumbricus rubellus, or Lumbricus terretris.-   A14. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A13, wherein the    water comprises an oxygen content of at least 4 ppm, at least 5 ppm,    at least 6 ppm or at least 7 ppm.-   A15. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A13, wherein the    water comprises an oxygen content in a range of about 3 ppm to about    15 ppm, about 3 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 4 ppm to about 15 ppm,    about 4 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 15 ppm, about 5    ppm to about 10 ppm, about 6 ppm to about 15 ppm, or about 6 ppm to    about 10 ppm.-   A16. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A15, wherein the    media bed further comprising one or more plants.-   A17. The apparatus of embodiment A16, wherein the plants are aquatic    plants.-   A17.1. The apparatus of embodiment A16, wherein the plants are    terrestrial plants.-   A18. The apparatus of embodiment A16 or A17.1, wherein the plants,    or a portion thereof, are in physical contact with the water.-   A19. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A18, wherein an    amount of the water in the biomass is at least 30%, at least 50% or    at least 70% of a volume of the biomass.-   A20. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A19, wherein an    amount of the water in the biomass is in a range of about 30% to    about 80%, about 30% to about 70%, about 40% to about 80% or about    40% to about 70% of a volume of the biomass.-   A21. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A20, wherein the    biomass further comprising microbes.-   A22. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the microbes are    bacteria or archaea selected from the group consisting of    Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosococcus, Nitrosolobus,    Nitrosopumilus, Nitrososphaera, Nitrobacter, Nitrospina,    Nitrococcus, and combinations thereof.-   A22.1. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A22, wherein    the microbes comprise a bacteria of the species Nitrosomonas    europaea (ATCC 25978) and/or a bacteria of the species Nitrobacter    winogradskyi.-   A23. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A22, wherein the    water is freshwater comprising a salinity of less than about 7 parts    per thousand (ppt), less than about 6 ppt, or less than about 5 ppt.-   A24. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A22, wherein the    water is salt water comprising a salinity of at least 7 ppt, at    least 10 ppt or at least 30 ppt.-   A25. The apparatus of embodiment A24, wherein the worms are mud    worms, clam worms, or a combination thereof.-   A26. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A25, wherein the    media bed further comprises a container, a waste inlet, and a    treated waste outlet.-   A27. The apparatus of embodiment A26, wherein the container    comprises the biomass.-   A28. The apparatus of embodiment A26 or A27, wherein the container    comprises the media.-   A29. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A26 to A28, wherein the    container comprises a bottom and one or more sidewalls.-   A29.1. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A26 to A29, wherein    the container comprises a sealed top.-   A30. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A26 to A29.1, wherein    the container comprises four side walls arranged in a substantially    rectangular shape and a bottom substantially coextensive with the    sidewalls.-   A31. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A26 to A30, wherein the    container is substantially water tight.-   A32. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A26 to A31, wherein the    container comprises an interior having a volume capacity of 5 liters    to 100,000 liters.-   A33. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A26 to A32, wherein the    container comprises an aeration means configured to introduce air or    oxygen into contents of the container.-   A34. The apparatus of embodiment A33, wherein the aeration means is    configured to introduce air or oxygen into the biomass or the water.-   A35. The apparatus of embodiment A33 or A34, wherein the aeration    means comprises a perforated conduit.-   A36. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A35, wherein the    aeration means comprises a plurality of air inlets located in the    one or more sidewalls or bottom of the container.-   A37. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A34, wherein the    aeration means comprises a pump operably coupled to the conduit or    the plurality of air inlets.-   A38. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A37, wherein the    container comprises the waste inlet.-   A39. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A38, wherein the    waste inlet is operably coupled to one or more waste conduits    located in the interior of the container.-   A40. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A39, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise pipes or tubes.-   A41. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A40, wherein the    one or more waste conduits have an inside diameter of at least 1 cm,    or in a range of 1 cm to about 1 meter.-   A42. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A41, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise one or more valves.-   A43. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A42, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise a manifold comprising a    plurality of perforations or holes configured to introduce    oxidizable waste into the container.-   A44. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A43, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise a first end comprising an    opening, optionally coupled to a valve, wherein the opening has an    inside diameter of at least 1 cm, or in a range of 1 cm to about 1    meter.-   A45. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A44, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise one or more fittings selected    from T-fittings, elbows, adapters, and clamps.-   A46. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A45, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise one or more regulators or    gauges.-   A46.1. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A26 to A46, wherein    the waste inlet is operably coupled to a waste intake system located    exterior to the media bed or container.-   A47. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A46.1, wherein    the waste inlet is operably coupled to a waste pump configured to    introduce waste into the container through the one or more waste    conduits.-   A47.1. The apparatus of embodiment A47, wherein a waste intake    system comprises the waste pump.-   A48. The apparatus of embodiment A47 or A47.1, wherein the waste    pump comprises an input port and an output port.-   A49. The apparatus of embodiment A48, wherein the waste inlet is    operably coupled to the output port of the waste pump.-   A50. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A48 to A49, wherein the    input port of the waste pump is operably coupled to a waste intake    conduit located exterior to the container.-   A51. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A48 to A50, wherein the    waste intake conduit comprises a first end located at a waste source    and a second end operably coupled to the input port of the waste    pump.-   A52. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A48 to A51, wherein the    waste pump or the waste intake system is configured to transport    waste from a waste source to the media bed, or from the waste source    to the interior of the container.-   A53. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A48 to A49, wherein the    pump is operably coupled to a return conduit having a first end    operably coupled to the output port of the waste pump and a second    end located at a waste source.-   A54. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A48 to A53, wherein the    second end of the return conduit comprises an opening.-   A55. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A48 to A53, wherein the    return conduit comprises one or more fittings, valves, regulators,    or gauges.-   A56. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A48 to A55, wherein the    waste intake system comprises the intake conduit, the return conduit    and optionally, one or more fittings, adaptors, valves, regulators    or gauges.-   A57. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A26 to A37, wherein the    container comprises the treated waste outlet.-   A58. The apparatus of embodiment A57, wherein the treated waste    outlet comprises a bulkhead operably integrated into a sidewall of    the container.-   A59. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A26 to A58, wherein the    treated waste outlet is operably coupled to one or more treated    waste outlet conduits located in the interior of the container.-   A59.1. The apparatus of embodiment A58 or A59, wherein the bulkhead    comprises an interior side located inside the container, and an    exterior side located outside the container, and the interior side    of the bulkhead is operably coupled to the one or more treated waste    outlet conduits.-   A60. The apparatus of embodiment A59, wherein the one or more    treated waste outlet conduits comprise pipes or tubes.-   A61. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A26 to A60, wherein the    one or more treated waste outlet conduits have an inside diameter of    at least 1 cm, or in a range of 1 cm to about 1 meter.-   A62. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A61, wherein the    one or more treated waste outlet conduits comprise one or more    valves.-   A63. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A62, wherein the    one or more waste outlet conduits comprise a manifold comprising a    plurality of perforations or holes.-   A64. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A63, wherein at    least one of the one or more treated waste outlet conduits is an    overflow drain comprising a first end comprising an opening, wherein    the opening has an inside diameter of at least 1 cm, or in a range    of 1 cm to about 1 meter.-   A65. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A64, wherein the    one or more treated waste outlet conduits comprise one or more    fittings selected from T-fittings, elbows, adapters, and clamps.-   A66. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A33 to A65, wherein the    one or more treated waste outlet conduits comprise one or more    regulators or gauges.-   A67. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A66, wherein the    media bed comprises a water inlet configured for introducing water    into the container.-   A68. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A67, wherein the    treated waste outlet is operably coupled to a treated waste return    conduit.-   A69. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A68, wherein the    treated waste return conduit comprises a waste return pump.-   A70. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A69, wherein the    treated waste return conduit comprises one or more fittings,    adaptors, valves, regulators or gauges.-   A71. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A70, wherein the    treated waste return comprises an open end operably coupled to a    waste source.-   A71.1. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A71, further    comprising a homogenizer, blender, grinder or blender pump.-   A71.2. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A71.1, wherein    the treated waste return is operably coupled to a discharge conduit    terminating with an open end, optionally coupled to a valve    configured for discharge of treated waste into an external    environment.-   A71.3. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A71, wherein    the treated waste return comprises a stand pipe operably coupled to,    or terminating in a waste source.-   A72. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A72, wherein the    waste source comprises a fish tank, a separating tank, a mixing    tank, a holding tank, a bioreactor or a sump tank.-   A73. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A72, wherein the    media bed or the container has a depth of about 6 inches to about 10    feet.-   A74. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A73, wherein the    media bed or the container has a depth of about one foot to about    four feet.-   A75. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A74, wherein the    biomass, or a combination of the biomass and the media, has a depth    of about 6 inches to about 10 feet.-   A76. The apparatus of any one of embodiments A1 to A75, wherein the    biomass, or a combination of the biomass and the media, has a depth    of about one foot to about four feet.-   B1. A media bed comprising:

a biomass, wherein (i) the biomass comprises water and worms, (ii) theworms are submerged in the water, and (iii) the water comprises anoxygen content of at least 3 ppm.

-   B2. The media bed of embodiment B1, wherein the water further    comprises un-ionized ammonia at an amount of 5 ppm or less.-   B3. The media bed of embodiment B1 or B2, wherein the biomass    comprises oxidizable waste.-   B3.1. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 or B3, wherein the    water comprises oxidizable waste.-   B4. The media bed of any one of embodiments, B1 to B3.1, wherein the    media bed further comprising media.-   B5. The media bed of embodiments B4, wherein the media comprises    aggregates, fibers or particles.-   B6. The media bed of embodiment B4 or B5, wherein the media is    selected from one or more of activated carbon, granular activated    carbon (GBC), pelletized activated carbon, polymeric fibers, crushed    stone, pumice, sand, plastic media, gravel, recycled glass, and    expanded lightweight aggregate-   B7. The media bed of any one of embodiments B5 to B6, wherein the    aggregates, fibers or particles have an average diameter in a range    of about 10 microns to about 5 cm.-   B8. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B7, wherein the    worms are earthworms.-   B9. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B8, wherein the    media bed comprises a minimum average, minimum mean or minimum    absolute worm density of at least 100 worms/m³, at least 500    worms/m³, or at least 1000 worms/m³, or at least 10,000 worms/m³.-   B10. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B8, wherein the    media bed comprises an average, mean or absolute worm density of    about 100 worms/m³ to about 100,000 worms/m³, about 1000 worms/m³ to    about 100,000 worms/m³, about 100 worms/m³ to about 10,000 worms/m³,    about 500 worms/m³ to about 10,000 worms/m³, or about 1000 worms/m³    to about 10,000 worms/m³.-   B11. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B10, wherein the    earthworms comprise an earthworm of a family selected from the list    consisting of Bcanthodrilidae, Biloscolecidae, Blmidae, Benhamiinae,    Octochaetidae, Criodrilidae, Diplocardiinae, Bcanthodrilidae,    Enchytraeidae, Eudrilidae, Exxidae, Glossoscolecidae, Haplotaxidae,    Hormogastridae, Kynotidae, Lumbricidae, Lutodrilidae,    Megascolecidae, Microchaetidae, Moniligastridae, Ocnerodrilidae,    Octochaetidae, Octochaetinae, Sparganophilidae, and Tumakidae.-   B12. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B11, wherein the    earthworms comprise an earthworm of a species selected from the list    consisting of Blloborpha callignosa, Eisenia fetida, Eisenia andrei,    Dendrodrilus rubidus, Dendrobaena hortensis, Dendrobaena veneta,    Lumbricus rubellus, Lumbricus terretris, Drawida nepalensis,    Eudrilus eugeniae, Perionyx excavates, Polypheretima elongate, and    Lampito maurittii.-   B13. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B12, wherein the    earthworms comprise an earthworm of a species Eisenia fetida,    Eisenia andrei, Lumbricus rubellus, or Lumbricus terretris.-   B14. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B13, wherein the    water comprises an oxygen content of at least 4 ppm, at least 5 ppm,    at least 6 ppm or at least 7 ppm.-   B15. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B13, wherein the    water comprises an oxygen content in a range of about 3 ppm to about    15 ppm, about 3 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 4 ppm to about 15 ppm,    about 4 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 15 ppm, about 5    ppm to about 10 ppm, about 6 ppm to about 15 ppm, or about 6 ppm to    about 10 ppm.-   B16. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B15, wherein the    media bed further comprising one or more plants.-   B17. The media bed of embodiment B16, wherein the plants are aquatic    plants.-   B17.1. The media bed of embodiment B16, wherein the plants are    terrestrial plants.-   B18. The media bed of embodiment B16 or B17.1, wherein the plants,    or a portion thereof, are in physical contact with the water.-   B19. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B18, wherein an    amount of the water in the biomass is at least 30%, at least 50% or    at least 70% of a volume of the biomass.-   B20. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B19, wherein an    amount of the water in the biomass is in a range of about 30% to    about 80%, about 30% to about 70%, about 40% to about 80% or about    40% to about 70% of a volume of the biomass.-   B21. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B20, wherein the    biomass further comprising microbes.-   B22. The media bed of embodiment 21, wherein the microbes are    bacteria or archaea selected from the group consisting of    Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosococcus, Nitrosolobus.    Nitrosopumilus, Nitrososphaera, Nitrobacter, Nitrospina,    Nitrococcus, and combinations thereof.-   B22.1. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B22, wherein    the microbes comprise a bacteria of the species Nitrosomonas    europaea (BTCC 25978) and/or a bacteria of the species Nitrobacter    winogradskyi.-   B23. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B22, wherein the    water is freshwater comprising a salinity of less than about 7 parts    per thousand (ppt), less than about 6 ppt, or less than about 5 ppt.-   B24. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B22, wherein the    water is salt water comprising a salinity of at least 7 ppt, at    least 10 ppt or at least 30 ppt.-   B25. The media bed of embodiment B24, wherein the worms are mud    worms, clam worms, or a combination thereof.-   B26. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B25, wherein the    media bed further comprises a container, a waste inlet, and a    treated waste outlet.-   B27. The media bed of embodiment B26, wherein the container    comprises the biomass.-   B28. The media bed of embodiment B26 or B27, wherein the container    comprises the media.-   B29. The media bed of any one of embodiments B26 to B28, wherein the    container comprises a bottom and one or more sidewalls.-   B29.1. The media bed of any one of embodiments B26 to B29, wherein    the container comprises a sealed top.-   B30. The media bed of any one of embodiments B26 to B29.1, wherein    the container comprises four side walls arranged in a substantially    rectangular shape and a bottom substantially coextensive with the    sidewalls.-   B31. The media bed of any one of embodiments B26 to B30, wherein the    container is substantially water tight.-   B32. The media bed of any one of embodiments B26 to B31, wherein the    container comprises an interior having a volume capacity of 5 liters    to 100,000 liters.-   B33. The media bed of any one of embodiments B26 to B32, wherein the    container comprises an aeration means configured to introduce air or    oxygen into contents of the container.-   B34. The media bed of embodiment B33, wherein the aeration means is    configured to introduce air or oxygen into the biomass or the water.-   B35. The media bed of embodiment B33 or B34, wherein the aeration    means comprises a perforated conduit.-   B36. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B35, wherein the    aeration means comprises a plurality of air inlets located in the    one or more sidewalls or bottom of the container.-   B37. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B34, wherein the    aeration means comprises a pump operably coupled to the conduit or    the plurality of air inlets.-   B38. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B37, wherein the    container comprises the waste inlet.-   B39. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B38, wherein the    waste inlet is operably coupled to one or more waste conduits    located in the interior of the container.-   B40. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B39, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise pipes or tubes.-   B41. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B40, wherein the    one or more waste conduits have an inside diameter of at least 1 cm,    or in a range of 1 cm to about 1 meter.-   B42. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B41, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise one or more valves.-   B43. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B42, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise a manifold comprising a    plurality of perforations or holes configured to introduce    oxidizable waste into the container.-   B44. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B43, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise a first end comprising an    opening, optionally coupled to a valve, wherein the opening has an    inside diameter of at least 1 cm, or in a range of 1 cm to about 1    meter.-   B45. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B44, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise one or more fittings selected    from T-fittings, elbows, adapters, and clamps.-   B46. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B45, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise one or more regulators or    gauges.-   B46.1. The media bed of any one of embodiments B26 to B46, wherein    the waste inlet is operably coupled to a waste intake system located    exterior to the media bed or container.-   B47. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B46.1, wherein    the waste inlet is operably coupled to a waste pump configured to    introduce waste into the container through the one or more waste    conduits.-   B47.1. The media bed of embodiment B47, wherein a waste intake    system comprises the waste pump.-   B48. The media bed of embodiment B47 or B47.1, wherein the waste    pump comprises an input port and an output port.-   B49. The media bed of embodiment B48, wherein the waste inlet is    operably coupled to the output port of the waste pump.-   B50. The media bed of any one of embodiments B48 to B49, wherein the    input port of the waste pump is operably coupled to a waste intake    conduit located exterior to the container.-   B51. The media bed of any one of embodiments B48 to B50, wherein the    waste intake conduit comprises a first end located at a waste source    and a second end operably coupled to the input port of the waste    pump.-   B52. The media bed of any one of embodiments B48 to B51, wherein the    waste pump or the waste intake system is configured to transport    waste from a waste source to the media bed, or from the waste source    to the interior of the container.-   B53. The media bed of any one of embodiments B48 to B49, wherein the    pump is operably coupled to a return conduit having a first end    operably coupled to the output port of the waste pump and a second    end located at a waste source.-   B54. The media bed of any one of embodiments B48 to B53, wherein the    second end of the return conduit comprises an opening.-   B55. The media bed of any one of embodiments B48 to B53, wherein the    return conduit comprises one or more fittings, valves, regulators,    or gauges.-   B56. The media bed of any one of embodiments B48 to B55, wherein the    waste intake system comprises the intake conduit, the return conduit    and optionally, one or more fittings, adaptors, valves, regulators    or gauges.-   B57. The media bed of any one of embodiments B26 to B37, wherein the    container comprises the treated waste outlet.-   B58. The media bed of embodiment B57, wherein the treated waste    outlet comprises a bulkhead operably integrated into a sidewall of    the container.-   B59. The media bed of any one of embodiments B26 to B58, wherein the    treated waste outlet is operably coupled to one or more treated    waste outlet conduits located in the interior of the container.-   B59.1. The media bed of embodiment B58 or B59, wherein the bulkhead    comprises an interior side located inside the container, and an    exterior side located outside the container, and the interior side    of the bulkhead is operably coupled to the one or more treated waste    outlet conduits.-   B60. The media bed of embodiment B59, wherein the one or more    treated waste outlet conduits comprise pipes or tubes.-   B61. The media bed of any one of embodiments B26 to B60, wherein the    one or more treated waste outlet conduits have an inside diameter of    at least 1 cm, or in a range of 1 cm to about 1 meter.-   B62. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B61, wherein the    one or more treated waste outlet conduits comprise one or more    valves.-   B63. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B62, wherein the    one or more waste outlet conduits comprise a manifold comprising a    plurality of perforations or holes.-   B64. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B63, wherein at    least one of the one or more treated waste outlet conduits is an    overflow drain comprising a first end comprising an opening, wherein    the opening has an inside diameter of at least 1 cm, or in a range    of 1 cm to about 1 meter.-   B65. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B64, wherein the    one or more treated waste outlet conduits comprise one or more    fittings selected from T-fittings, elbows, adapters, and clamps.-   B66. The media bed of any one of embodiments B33 to B65, wherein the    one or more treated waste outlet conduits comprise one or more    regulators or gauges.-   B67. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B66, wherein the    media bed comprises a water inlet configured for introducing water    into the container.-   B68. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B67, wherein the    treated waste outlet is operably coupled to a treated waste return    conduit.-   B69. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B68, wherein the    treated waste return conduit comprises a waste return pump.-   B70. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B69, wherein the    treated waste return conduit comprises one or more fittings,    adaptors, valves, regulators or gauges.-   B71. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B70, wherein the    treated waste return comprises an open end operably coupled to a    waste source.-   B71.1. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B71, further    comprising a homogenizer, blender, grinder or blender pump.-   B71.2. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B71.1, wherein    the treated waste return is operably coupled to a discharge conduit    terminating with an open end, optionally coupled to a valve    configured for discharge of treated waste into an external    environment.-   B71.3. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B71, wherein    the treated waste return comprises a stand pipe operably coupled to,    or terminating in a waste source.-   B72. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B72, wherein the    waste source comprises a fish tank, a separating tank, a mixing    tank, a holding tank, a bioreactor or a sump tank.-   B73. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B72, wherein the    media bed or the container has a depth of about 6 inches to about 10    feet.-   B74. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B73, wherein the    media bed or the container has a depth of about one foot to about    four feet.-   B75. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B74, wherein the    biomass, or a combination of the biomass and the media, has a depth    of about 6 inches to about 10 feet.-   B76. The media bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B75, wherein the    biomass, or a combination of the biomass and the media, has a depth    of about one foot to about four feet.-   C1. A waste treatment system comprising the apparatus or media bed    of any one of embodiments A1 to A76 or B1 to B76, wherein the waste    treatment system further comprises one or more of a fish tank, a    separating tank, a mixing tank, a sump tank, a holding tank, and a    bioreactor.-   C2. The waste treatment system of embodiments C1, wherein the fish    tank is operably coupled to the media bed.-   C3. The waste treatment system of embodiment C1 or C2, wherein the    fish tank is operably coupled to the separating tank, which is    operably coupled to the media bed, and the media bed is operably    coupled to the fish tank, thereby providing a recycling system    wherein waste is transported from the fish tank to the separating    tank, from the separating tank to the media bed, and from the media    bed back to the fish tank.-   C4. The waste treatment system of embodiment C3, further comprising    one or more bioreactors operably coupled to the separating tank and    operable coupled to the media bed, wherein waste from the separating    tank is transported from the separating tank to the one or more    bioreactors, and from the one or more bioreactors to the media bed.-   C5. The waste treatment system of any one of embodiments C1 to C4,    comprising two or more media beds operably coupled in parallel or in    series.-   C6. The waste treatment system of any one of embodiments C1 to C5,    wherein an inlet of the fish tank, the media bed or the separating    tank is operably coupled to a primary waste source.-   C7. The waste treatment system of embodiment C6, wherein the waste    source is from an aquaculture system.-   C8. The waste treatment system of embodiment C6, wherein the waste    source comprises raw manure derived from a terrestrial agriculture    system or farm.-   C9. The waste treatment system of any one of embodiments C1 to C8,    further comprising a homogenized, blender, grinder or blender pump.-   C10. The waste treatment system of any one of embodiments C1 to C9,    wherein the system is a closed system.-   D1. An apparatus comprising:

a media bed having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the media bedcomprises media and a biomass, the biomass comprising oxidizable waste,water and earthworms, wherein

(i) the worms are submerged in the water,

(ii) the water comprises oxygen at greater than 3 ppm and un-ionizedammonia at less than 1 ppm;

(iii) the media is selected from the group consisting of activatedcarbon, granular activated carbon (GAC), pelletized activated carbon,polymeric fibers, crushed stone, pumice, sand, plastic media, gravel,recycled glass, expanded lightweight aggregate, and combinationsthereof;

(iv) the media comprises an average particle diameter ranging from about10 microns to about 5 cm;

(v) the media bed has a depth of about one foot to about four feet; and

(vi) the water is about 30% to about 70% by volume of the media bed.

-   E1. An aquaponics system, comprising:

a fish tank containing a fluid;

a separating tank, the separating tank being fluidly connected to thefish tank;

a media bed, the media bed being fluidly connected to the separatingtank and the fish tank;

wherein the system is configured to oxidize waste to nitrate and for thesubsequent uptake of nitrates to plant life,

wherein the media bed comprises worms, an active aeration system, andcontinuous flow beds, and

wherein the aquaponics system is a closed system.

-   E2. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the media bed is a media    bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B76.-   F1. A method of treating a solid and liquid waste in an aquaponics    system, comprising:

providing a fish tank containing a fluid;

providing a separating tank, the separating tank being fluidly connectedto the fish tank;

providing a media bed, the media bed being fluidly connected to theseparating tank and the fish tank;

delivering the fluid to the separating tank;

separating the fluid into solids and liquids in the separating tank;

converting ammonia in the liquids to nitrite, and nitrite into nitrate;

filtering the solids and liquids through the media bed;

removing nitrates from the liquids; and

delivering filtered liquids having a reduced nitrate content back to thefish tank;

wherein the media bed comprises worms, an active aeration system, andcontinuous flow beds.

-   F2. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the media bed is a media    bed of any one of embodiments B1 to B76.-   G1. A method of treating waste comprising:

(a) providing a media bed comprising a biomass, wherein (i) the biomasscomprises water and worms, (ii) the worms are submerged in the water,and (iii) the water comprises an oxygen content of at least 3 ppm; and

(b) contacting the biomass with aqueous waste or oxidizable waste,thereby forming a mixture.

-   G1.1. The method of embodiment G1, further comprising oxygenating    the biomass or the water by an aeration means.-   G1.2. The method of embodiment G1.1, wherein the aeration means    comprises introducing air or oxygen into the biomass, thereby    providing a biomass comprising a dissolved oxygen content of at    least 3 ppm.-   G1.3. The method of embodiment G1.1, wherein the aeration means    comprises introducing air or oxygen into the water thereby,    providing water comprising a dissolved oxygen content of at least 3    ppm.-   G1.4. The method of any one of embodiments G1.1 to G1.3, wherein the    air or oxygen is introduced through a perforated conduit.-   G1.5. The method of embodiment G1 or G1.4, further comprising    removing a portion of the mixture, wherein the portion of the    mixture comprises treated waste.-   G1.2. The method of embodiment G1.1, further comprising contacting    the treated waste with the biomass, and removing a portion of the    treated waste.-   G2. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G1.2, wherein the    water further comprises un-ionized ammonia at an amount of 5 ppm or    less.-   G3. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G2, wherein the    biomass comprises oxidizable waste.-   G3.1. The method of any one of embodiments G1 or G3, wherein the    water comprises oxidizable waste.-   G4. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G3.1, wherein the    media bed further comprising media.-   G5. The method of embodiments G4, wherein the media comprises    aggregates, fibers or particles.-   G6. The method of embodiment G4 or G5, wherein the media is selected    from one or more of activated carbon, granular activated carbon    (GGC), pelletized activated carbon, polymeric fibers, crushed stone,    pumice, sand, plastic media, gravel, recycled glass, and expanded    lightweight aggregate-   G7. The method of any one of embodiments G5 to G6, wherein the    aggregates, fibers or particles have an average diameter in a range    of about 10 microns to about 5 cm.-   G8. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G7, wherein the worms    are earthworms.-   G9. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G8, wherein the media    bed comprises a minimum average, minimum mean or minimum absolute    worm density of at least 100 worms/m³, at least 500 worms/m³, or at    least 1000 worms/m³, or at least 10,000 worms/m³.-   G10. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G8, wherein the    media bed comprises an average, mean or absolute worm density of    about 100 worms/m³ to about 100,000 worms/m³, about 1000 worms/m³ to    about 100,000 worms/m³, about 100 worms/m³ to about 10,000 worms/m³,    about 500 worms/m³ to about 10,000 worms/m³, or about 1000 worms/m³    to about 10,000 worms/m³.-   G11. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G10, wherein the    earthworms comprise an earthworm of a family selected from the list    consisting of Gcanthodrilidae, Giloscolecidae, Glmidae, Genhamiinae,    Octochaetidae, Criodrilidae, Diplocardiinae, Gcanthodrilidae,    Gnchytraeidae, Gudrilidae, Gxxidae, Glossoscolecidae, Haplotaxidae,    Hormogastridae, Kynotidae, Lumbricidae, Lutodrilidae,    Megascolecidae, Microchaetidae, Moniligastridae, Ocnerodrilidae,    Octochaetidae, Octochaetinae, Sparganophilidae, and Tumakidae.-   G12. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G11, wherein the    earthworms comprise an earthworm of a species selected from the list    consisting of Glloborpha callignosa, Gisenia fetida, Gisenia andrei,    Dendrodrilus rubidus, Dendrobaena hortensis, Dendrobaena veneta,    Lumbricus rubellus, Lumbricus terretris, Drawida nepalensis,    Gudrilus eugeniae, Perionyx excavates, Polypheretima elongate, and    Lampito maurittii.-   G13. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G12, wherein the    earthworms comprise an earthworm of a species Gisenia fetida,    Gisenia andrei, Lumbricus rubellus, or Lumbricus terretris.-   G14. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G13, wherein the    water comprises an oxygen content of at least 4 ppm, at least 5 ppm,    at least 6 ppm or at least 7 ppm.-   G15. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G13, wherein the    water comprises an oxygen content in a range of about 3 ppm to about    15 ppm, about 3 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 4 ppm to about 15 ppm,    about 4 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 15 ppm, about 5    ppm to about 10 ppm, about 6 ppm to about 15 ppm, or about 6 ppm to    about 10 ppm.-   G16. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G15, wherein the    media bed further comprising one or more plants.-   G17. The method of embodiment G16, wherein the plants are aquatic    plants.-   G17.1. The method of embodiment G16, wherein the plants are    terrestrial plants.-   G18. The method of embodiment G16 or G17, wherein the plants, or a    portion thereof, are in physical contact with the water.-   G19. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G18, wherein an    amount of the water in the biomass is at least 30%, at least 50% or    at least 70% of a volume of the biomass.-   G20. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G19, wherein an    amount of the water in the biomass is in a range of about 30% to    about 80%, about 30% to about 70%, about 40% to about 80% or about    40% to about 70% of a volume of the biomass.-   G21. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G20, wherein the    biomass further comprising microbes.-   G22. The method of embodiment 21, wherein the microbes are bacteria    or archaea selected from the group consisting of Nitrosomonas,    Nitrosospira, Nitrosococcus, Nitrosolobus. Nitrosopumilus,    Nitrososphaera, Nitrobacter, Nitrospina, Nitrococcus, and    combinations thereof.-   G23. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G22, wherein the    water is freshwater comprising a salinity of less than about 35    parts per thousand (ppt), less than about 5 ppt, less than about 1    ppt. or less than about 0.5 ppt.-   G24. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G22, wherein the    water is salt water comprising a salinity of at least 20 ppt, at    least 30 ppt or at least 35 ppt.-   G25. The method of embodiment G24, wherein the worms are mud worms,    clam worms, or a combination thereof.-   G26. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G1.2, wherein the    media bed further comprises a container, a waste inlet, and a    treated waste outlet.-   G27. The method of embodiment G26, wherein the container comprises    the biomass.-   G28. The method of embodiment G26 or G27, wherein the container    comprises the media.-   G29. The method of any one of embodiments G26 to G28, wherein the    container comprises a bottom and one or more sidewalls.-   G29.1. The method of any one of embodiments G26 to G29, wherein the    container comprises a sealed top.-   G30. The method of any one of embodiments G26 to G29.1, wherein the    container comprises four side walls arranged in a substantially    rectangular shape and a bottom substantially coextensive with the    sidewalls.-   G31. The method of any one of embodiments G26 to G30, wherein the    container is substantially water tight.-   G32. The method of any one of embodiments G26 to G31, wherein the    container comprises an interior having a volume capacity of 5 liters    to 100,000 liters.-   G33. The method of any one of embodiments G26 to G32, wherein the    container comprises an aeration means configured to introduce air or    oxygen into contents of the container.-   G34. The method of embodiment G33, wherein the aeration means is    configured to introduce air or oxygen into the biomass or the water.-   G35. The method of embodiment G33 or G34, wherein the aeration means    comprises a perforated conduit.-   G36. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G35, wherein the    aeration means comprises a plurality of air inlets located in the    one or more sidewalls or bottom of the container.-   G37. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G34, wherein the    aeration means comprises a pump operably coupled to the conduit or    the plurality of air inlets.-   G38. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G37, wherein the    container comprises the waste inlet.-   G39. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G38, wherein the    waste inlet is operably coupled to one or more waste conduits    located in the interior of the container.-   G40. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G39, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise pipes or tubes.-   G41. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G40, wherein the    one or more waste conduits have an inside diameter of at least 1 cm,    or in a range of 1 cm to about 1 meter.-   G42. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G41, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise one or more valves.-   G43. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G42, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise a manifold comprising a    plurality of perforations or holes configured to introduce    oxidizable waste into the container.-   G44. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G43, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise a first end comprising an    opening, optionally coupled to a valve, wherein the opening has an    inside diameter of at least 1 cm, or in a range of 1 cm to about 1    meter.-   G45. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G44, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise one or more fittings selected    from T-fittings, elbows, adapters, and clamps.-   G46. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G45, wherein the    one or more waste conduits comprise one or more regulators or    gauges.-   G46.1. The method of any one of embodiments G26 to G46, wherein the    waste inlet is operably coupled to a waste intake system located    exterior to the media bed or container.-   G47. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G46.1, wherein the    waste inlet is operably coupled to a waste pump configured to    introduce waste into the container through the one or more waste    conduits.-   G47.1. The method of embodiment G47, wherein a waste intake system    comprises the waste pump.-   G48. The method of embodiment G47 or G47.1, wherein the waste pump    comprises an input port and an output port.-   G49. The method of embodiment G48, wherein the waste inlet is    operably coupled to the output port of the waste pump.-   G50. The method of any one of embodiments G48 to G49, wherein the    input port of the waste pump is operably coupled to a waste intake    conduit located exterior to the container.-   G51. The method of any one of embodiments G48 to G50, wherein the    waste intake conduit comprises a first end located at a waste source    and a second end operably coupled to the input port of the waste    pump.-   G52. The method of any one of embodiments G48 to G51, wherein the    waste pump or the waste intake system is configured to transport    waste from a waste source to the media bed, or from the waste source    to the interior of the container.-   G53. The method of any one of embodiments G48 to G49, wherein the    pump is operably coupled to a return conduit having a first end    operably coupled to the output port of the waste pump and a second    end located at a waste source.-   G54. The method of any one of embodiments G48 to G53, wherein the    second end of the return conduit comprises an opening.-   G55. The method of any one of embodiments G48 to G53, wherein the    return conduit comprises one or more fittings, valves, regulators,    or gauges.-   G56. The method of any one of embodiments G48 to G55, wherein the    waste intake system comprises the intake conduit, the return conduit    and optionally, one or more fittings, adaptors, valves, regulators    or gauges.-   G57. The method of any one of embodiments G26 to G37, wherein the    container comprises the treated waste outlet.-   G58. The method of embodiment G57, wherein the treated waste outlet    comprises a bulkhead operably integrated into a sidewall of the    container.-   G59. The method of any one of embodiments G26 to G58, wherein the    treated waste outlet is operably coupled to one or more treated    waste outlet conduits located in the interior of the container.-   G59.1. The method of embodiment G58 or G59, wherein the bulkhead    comprises an interior side located inside the container, and an    exterior side located outside the container, and the interior side    of the bulkhead is operably coupled to the one or more treated waste    outlet conduits.-   G60. The method of embodiment G59, wherein the one or more treated    waste outlet conduits comprise pipes or tubes.-   G61. The method of any one of embodiments G26 to G60, wherein the    one or more treated waste outlet conduits have an inside diameter of    at least 1 cm, or in a range of 1 cm to about 1 meter.-   G62. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G61, wherein the    one or more treated waste outlet conduits comprise one or more    valves.-   G63. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G62, wherein the    one or more waste outlet conduits comprise a manifold comprising a    plurality of perforations or holes.-   G64. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G63, wherein at    least one of the one or more treated waste outlet conduits is an    overflow drain comprising a first end comprising an opening, wherein    the opening has an inside diameter of at least 1 cm, or in a range    of 1 cm to about 1 meter.-   G65. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G64, wherein the    one or more treated waste outlet conduits comprise one or more    fittings selected from T-fittings, elbows, adapters, and clamps.-   G66. The method of any one of embodiments G33 to G65, wherein the    one or more treated waste outlet conduits comprise one or more    regulators or gauges.-   G67. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G66, wherein the    media bed comprises a water inlet configured for introducing water    into the container.-   G68. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G67, wherein the    treated waste outlet is operably coupled to a treated waste return    conduit.-   G69. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G68, wherein the    treated waste return conduit comprises a waste return pump.-   G70. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G69, wherein the    treated waste return conduit comprises one or more fittings,    adaptors, valves, regulators or gauges.-   G71. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G70, wherein the    treated waste return comprises an open end operably coupled to a    waste source.-   G71.1. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G71, further    comprising a homogenizer, blender, grinder or blender pump.-   G71.2. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G71.1, wherein the    treated waste return is operably coupled to a discharge conduit    terminating with an open end, optionally coupled to a valve    configured for discharge of treated waste into an external    environment.-   G71.3. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G71, wherein the    treated waste return comprises a stand pipe operably coupled to, or    terminating in a waste source.-   G72. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G72, wherein the    waste source comprises a fish tank, a separating tank, a mixing    tank, a holding tank, a bioreactor or a sump tank.-   G73. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G72, wherein the    media bed or the container has a depth of about 6 inches to about 10    feet.-   G74. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G73, wherein the    media bed or the container has a depth of about one foot to about    four feet.-   G75. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G74, wherein the    biomass, or a combination of the biomass and the media, has a depth    of about 6 inches to about 10 feet.-   G76. The method of any one of embodiments G1 to G75, wherein the    biomass, or a combination of the biomass and the media, has a depth    of about one foot to about four feet.

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as adescription of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter andis not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodimentdescribed in this disclosure is provided merely as an example orillustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageousover other embodiments, unless expressly stated otherwise. Theillustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustiveor to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed.

All numbers expressing quantities of ingredients and/or reactionconditions are to be understood as being modified in all instances bythe term “about”, unless otherwise indicated.

The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein, mean one or more when appliedto any feature in embodiments of the present invention described in thespecification and claims. The use of “a” and “an” does not limit themeaning to a single feature unless such a limit is specifically stated.The article “the” preceding singular or plural nouns or noun phrasesdenotes a particular specified feature or particular specified featuresand may have a singular or plural connotation depending upon the contextin which it is used. The adjective “any” means one, some, or allindiscriminately of whatever quantity.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a media bed comprising abiomass, wherein (i) the biomass comprises water and worms, (ii) theworms are submerged in the water, and (iii) the water comprises anoxygen content of at least 3 ppm.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe water further comprises un-ionized ammonia at an amount of 5 ppm orless.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biomass or watercomprises oxidizable waste.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein themedia bed further comprising media.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, whereinthe media comprises aggregates, fibers or particles.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the media bed comprises a minimum average, minimum meanor minimum absolute worm density of at least 100 worms/m³, at least 500worms/m³, or at least 1000 worms/m³, or at least 10,000 worms/m³.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the earthworms comprise an earthworm of afamily selected from the list consisting of Acanthodrilidae,Ailoscolecidae, Almidae, Benhamiinae, Octochaetidae, Criodrilidae,Diplocardiinae, Acanthodrilidae, Enchytraeidae, Eudrilidae, Exxidae,Glossoscolecidae, Haplotaxidae, Hormogastridae, Kynotidae, Lumbricidae,Lutodrilidae, Megascolecidae, Microchaetidae, Moniligastridae,Ocnerodrilidae, Octochaetidae, Octochaetinae, Sparganophilidae, andTumakidae.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water comprises anoxygen content of at least 4 ppm, at least 5 ppm, at least 6 ppm or atleast 7 ppm.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water comprises anoxygen content in a range of about 3 ppm to about 15 ppm.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the media bed further comprising one ormore plants.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an amount of thewater in the biomass is at least 30%, at least 50% or at least 70% of avolume of the biomass.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biomassfurther comprising one or more species of microbes selected from thegroup consisting of Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosococcus,Nitrosolobus. Nitrosopumilus, Nitrososphaera, Nitrobacter, Nitrospina,and Nitrococcus.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water isfreshwater comprising a salinity of less than about 7 parts per thousand(ppt), less than about 6 ppt, or less than about 5 ppt.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the media bed further comprises acontainer, a waste inlet, and a treated waste outlet, and the containercomprises the biomass and the media.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the container comprises an aeration means configured tointroduce air or oxygen into the water.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the media bed, the container or the biomass has a depth of about6 inches to about 10 feet.
 17. A waste treatment system comprising theapparatus of claim 1, and one or more of a fish tank, a separating tank,a mixing tank, a sump tank, a holding tank, and a bioreactor.
 18. Thewaste treatment system of claim 17, wherein the fish tank is operablycoupled to the separating tank, the separating tank is operably coupledto the media bed, and the media bed is operably coupled to the fishtank, thereby providing a recycling system wherein waste is transportedfrom the fish tank to the separating tank, from the separating tank tothe media bed, and from the media bed back to the fish tank.
 19. Amethod of treating waste comprising: (a) providing an apparatus of claim1; and (b) contacting the biomass of the apparatus with oxidizablewaste, thereby forming a mixture.
 20. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising removing a portion of the mixture from the apparatus, whereina portion of the mixture comprises treated waste.